Friday, February 29, 2008

The Trip is Booked!

You are amazing! Each one of you that diligently clicks in to check in on Ann and Eric's trip are amazing. Your care, concern and funds have allowed us to go ahead and book a trip for Ann and Eric! Thank you for your emails and offers of help. Some quick details:
  • Departing May 30, arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Board the Sapphire Princess on May 31 for a Voyage of the Glaciers. Cruise from Vancouver to Whitter, Alaska. Balcony room is accessible and this also includes travel insurance.
  • Return to Minnesota June 7 with everlasting memories.

With the booking, we now have an estimate of expenses that we would like to share with you:

  • $3,895 - Cruise with insurance (The balcony room increases the expense but was deemed a valuable expenditure).
  • $140 - Automatically applied Tipping to Cruise staff - $10 per person per night!!
  • $735- Airfare for two on May 30th from Rochester, Chicago, Vancouver
  • $150 - One night hotel room near Vancouver airport - May 30th
  • $50- Cab fees from hotel to Cruise port (just guessing on fee
  • $1000 - Incidental expenses, on land excursions, gifts for children
  • $50- Shuttle fee from Whitter to Anchorage airport (approximately 30 minutes)
  • $620 - Flight from Whitter to Minneapolis
  • $200 - Two passports
  • Total = $6,840

As you can see, the total is more than we originally asked for (although when guesstimating at the beginning $5,000 - 7,500 was the range we considered). How will we make that bigger number? We have an donor that has donated a large sum of money.....$1,400!!! Thank you! So our original goal of $5,000 is now being changed to $6,840, but with the addition of the $1,400 we are still right on track...

Original Needs = $5,000 we are at $3,805 (need $1,200 to reach $5,000 goal)

New Needs = $6,840 we are at $3,805 plus the $1,400 = $5,205 (need $1,635 to reach new goal)

Basically, we needed about $1,200 before, now we need $1,635 to complete our larger goal. The fundraising thermometer will be changed in the next few days to compensate for this change. We just wanted to get this information out there to all you amazing people who are helping with this.

If you haven't donated yet, please consider, even $10 will help this become a reality! If you have already donated, we thank you!

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Monday, February 11, 2008

CRUISE FAQs!

We have our own Frequently Asked Question section to answer a few of the questions that have been brought to our attention!

Why an Alaskan cruise?
Like many couples, Ann and Eric had throughout their marriage, discussed where they would like to travel some day. They decided Alaska would be the place for them and we are helping them get there!

When?
May of 2008 has been discussed with Ann and Eric, and around the 18th, to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary.

What is the cruise itinerary?
That is still being discussed. There are a couple of cruising options. We know we are looking at a 7 day cruise. If you have been on an Alaskan cruise and aware of must see ports or "dos" on the trip please email us or comment below!

Cruise line?
We have heard good things about Princess and Norwegian. Again, if you have comments please let us know!

Accessibility
An important factor in this trip is accessibility for Ann. A balcony room to take in the spectacluar views is planned, as well as a room that can meet her needs.

Timeline
January 28 - Begin Alaska Cruise Donation Collection
February 29 - Reserve Trip if we have 75% of needed funds collected ($3750) & Secure
Passports (needed if leaving from Vancouver)
March 15 - All Funds Secured
May - Depart for Trip (May shift to June but hopefully May!)

Please Help Us!
Thanks so much to those that donated and are checking in on the fundraising progress. We welcome your comments and will do our best to address any concerns you may have. Please email annbenefit@gmail.com if you have any questions!

THANK YOU!
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Alaskan Dream Cruise: Help Ann's Dream Become Reality

In researching how to help Ann and her family, we studied the ALS Association website. In the section for those newly diagnosed with ALS, an article by Will Hubben (an ALS patient himself) titled "Tips for Newly-Diagnosed ALS Patients", points out many important thoughts for ALS patients including: being compassionate to yourself, reaching out to family and friends, and learning about ALS. The one that we feel that we can help with in a significant manner at this time is Tip 7 " Do things you have always wanted to do. Take that trip to Europe, spend more time with your family, go skydiving, write a book, or raft the Grand Canyon. Whatever it is, go ahead and do it. In a few months, you may no longer be able to do these activities."

A friend asked Ann if there was someplace special she had ever wanted to travel to and she answered, "Go on an Alaskan Cruise", not realizing that we were hoping to make that trip become reality. Ann is a very compassionate person who is not seeking help, but graciously accepts it when she knows that it will benefit her number one concern, her family. This trip focuses on Ann and Eric, allowing them to enjoy a trip that without the generosity of family, friends and other caring individuals, would not become a reality. It is our hope that we will collect enough donations by March 1, 2008 to secure a May trip for Ann and Eric. How can you help make this a reality?

Please consider contributing in one of the following ways:
1. Mail a check written to "Ann Peterson Benefit Account" and send to:
Nicole Ganrude
c/o Think Bank
25 2nd Street SW
Rochester, MN 55902

2. Use Paypal to deposit funds into Ann's Benefit Account using the following email address:
annbenefit@gmail.com

If you have any questions please feel free to email ekruen@acegroup.cc.

We understand there will be medical and other costs for Ann's family in the future, but hope that this enables Ann to live out a dream. If we are so fortunate to receive donations above the amount needed for Ann's dream cruise, funds above and beyond will be used by Ann's family to meet the many financial challenges that the diagnosis of ALS brings. As we secure funds, we will post more information regarding thier cruise on this site so feel free to check in!

We cannot thank you enough for your support.