Cooper's Memorial Fundraiser

   
 

Cooper's Life - a short Youtube video

This thread is a fundraiser in memory of my son Cooper, who passed on almost a year ago.  Proceeds will fund research and help provide support for others facing the life-threatening disease that Cooper battled for over 5 years.  Some of you may remember reading about Cooper's last months on earth, posted in This Thread.  My family and I were uplifted by the overwhelming sympathy and support of this fine board.  Cooper was a warrior and left his impact on many. As it's been nearly a year since Cooper passed on, we are determined to strengthen his legacy while into the future.  We would like to ask for your help in doing so through this fundraiser.  

100% of the funds raised here will benefit the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund (FARF), the non-profit organization dedicated to offering support and a finding a cure for Fanconi Anemia, the disease that took Cooper. Over 80% of FARF's annual budget comes from fundraisers by families like ours, a tight, well-informed and tireless group of people.  The organization has a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator, the highest possible rating, putting nearly 90% of their annual budget toward research and family support.  The impact of FARF is broad-reaching.  You can read more about Fanconi Anemia and the progress being made to battle this disease on the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund Website.  Some highlights of the work FARF is doing:


    - The Fund has awarded more than $17 million to fund over 200 research grants.

    - Since 1989, 18 Fanconi anemia genes have been identified, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes.

    - Bone marrow transplant success rates for FA patients have risen from a dismal 30% to nearly 90%.


My family and I remain active in honoring Cooper's memory and fighting for others like him with this disease.  There is momentum building that needs our continued support.  Because of 25 years of FARF supported advancements in science and medicine, researchers are poised to make remarkable discoveries.  

We need your help!  Please visit Cooper's Fundraising Page and help us in our ongoing battle against this disease. Our goal is to raise $4,076.00, which is $2 for each of Cooper's 2,038 days (5.5 years) on earth.  The fundraiser will end on August 17, 2015, the date that marks the one year anniversary of Cooper's passing.  Your donation to FARF, a 501c3 organization, is tax-deductible

You will receive a tax receipt for your donation from FARF, and a personal Thank You from my family and I for your generosity.  For those donating $10 or more, I will send you a "Camp Cooper" pin as a very small token of our thanks for helping us in honoring Cooper's memory and for your role in helping others like him.

Please help us honor Cooper's memory.  Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Darrel & Family
This message is Striker-approved

ETA1: Pg. 2 - Chance to win a custom Camp Cooper Benchmade Griptilian Knife
ETA2: Pg. 2 - TexRdnec offers a nice package for auction (Larue, Magpul, Geissele) - all proceeds will benefit FARF.  Auction ended
ETA3: Pg. 3 - Brich2929 kindly offers a Daniel Defense 14.5" Barrel for auction!  Auction ended
ETA4: Pg. 4 - TexRdnec gets into the foray yet again and throws up a DD Omega 9" Rail.  Auction ended
ETA5: - Goal achieved and beat!  ARFCOM Campaign closed, gofundme site live through August 17.  Thank you all.
ETA6: Pg. 5 - Winner drawn for Camp Cooper Benchmade Knife - Idaholandho takes it!

BTT bump.

The family and I are doing OK.  We spent some time at a Camp in Maine with other families that are battling the same disease.  It was difficult but good.  I really think we need to have everything come back to the surface occasionally.  It's also good for our daughters and has opened their hearts to kids with special needs.  

Of course, I think of Cooper every day, often at odd times.  Yesterday I came in from the garage and pictured him at the kitchen table with his ipad and how he'd look up and I'd rub his head as I walked by.  Just fun memories like that.  I dwell on the good stuff.  It's getting a little easier to look at photos and videos of him again.  I couldn't for the longest time.  They make me laugh and cry at the same time.

Free Bump for Striker approved fundraiser.

Good luck!

Donation made

Bump for a good cause

Another bump for the west coast night crew.

btt

Hit and BTT

here for the bump.

lets keep this on the main page.

Bump!

Thank you for the generosity and the bumps guys.

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Bump

Bump

Can't donate until next week when I get paid, but bump.

Striker better approve this one.

ETA: Just noticed Striker did approve!

BTT for the AM crew

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Bump

BTT.

Bump for Cooper

To the top...

I followed Cooper's thread, it got dusty....a lot.  

I remember it well also. Hit and bump. RIP Cooper.

Bump

FARF  

Thanks for the outpouring of ARFCOM generosity so far today!  

Update: $225 in donations, $3851 to go.

Bump for the night

Bump

Come on Arfcom you can do better than this

BTT for the morning

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You might add 'striker approved' to the title. Might get more attention thataway... Just a thought...

suggestion implemented, thanks!

I put $25 in because Arfcom can do better than this.

Prayers/hit/bump

Hard to believe that was almost a year ago.

I wish the best for you and your family

Thanks brother.  I find myself remembering little instances more frequently now a year after his last month with us.  The photos of him with the bubbles are from a "bubble party" we had for him last summer...one of our last great memories of him in all of his glory, surrounded by friends and family.

I have to say I'm surprised at how little interest this thread is generating. I've seen Arfcom respond in force to these before.



Here's another free bump for OP.

Still makes me tear up.  I do remember your boy and his struggle.  No parent should have to deal with something like that.

People are very generous on this board and we are grateful for those that have given already.  I'm trying to stay positive and optimistic that we will reach our goal....but we certainly have a ways to go!  I've thought about adding a drawing for something that I could provide personally (ammo, knife, gear, etc) that would be drawn for those making donations.  Say, for every $5 donated, you'd get one "ticket" into the drawing.  Maybe it would increase interest?

Donation made. As a father of two boys, one four years old and one six months old, I can't even begin to fathom you and your family's pain.

OP, I don't have much, but will get some sent here in a few days, as a father (my kids are in their 20's now) that has always been my biggest fear is having to bury my own..I cannot begin to imagine how hard it had to be for you and your wife to go thru this..I am in awe of your inner strength... and the greatness you are showing your other kids as well as anyone who cares  to look....

On behalf of every child, father and mother battling this disease, thank you.  


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Thanks brother.  Cooper made us all better and I'm trying to be half the man he would've been.  


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I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 2 day old... I can not imagine my life without either one of them.  I can't do much, but I'll toss a little your way to help out.  Best of luck with the fundraiser!