See Below for an Update!
Last month I got an email from a friend that took my breath away.
“Melissa Ingold’s baby passed away last night.”
Melissa Ingold, you know her as the Internet Marketing Sweetie. She has been a friend of mine for several years. I have watched her start with nothing and build up an excellent reputation on the web.
Melissa’s youngest child, Kyle was diagnosed with Gaucher Disease and as a group (we her online friends) have been so touched and impressed by her determination to fight for her son and pursue treatment. She has shared bits and pieces of their journey as a family on a website, A Cherished Angel.
Kyle’s passing was sudden and unexpected. While children with Gaucher Disease do face early death, there was no reason to think that he was in imminent danger. Melissa put a smiling baby boy to bed and woke up to find that he was in the arms of God forever.
Losing a child, what a devastation… and of course we can all offer our love and support to help the family deal with their loss.
That, and something more.
Not surprisingly, having a funeral is a huge expense – especially for a young family. The Ingold Family was in the midst of buying a new home when Kyle passed away, making the financial stress even more acute.
In this area, we can do more than offer kind words – we can step up and offer to help pay this bill. (In fact, WE DID!)
Donation Update as of July 14th:
The Fundraiser is Officially Over…
Melissa wrote me to say that the bill is officially taken care of. She is totally blown away of course!
I’m celebrating our success but continuing these KILLER deals for another 36 hours. (I had already promised to make them available for that long)
Offer #1: A Lifetime Membership to Mom Masterminds for $250 $100 (80% discount off of our regular lifetime one time payment)
Offer #2: The Blog Internship Ten Week Course & Bonuses for $29 (65% discount off of our regular one time payment)
To be clear – your payments are no longer part of a fundraiser – the need has been met in full! Woohoo!
July 9th, 2010 at 4:59 am
Kelly ~ I am sooo sorry to hear about Kyle … and I want to thank you personally for being so generous with these offers. I do will what I can to promote and will definitely donate to Melissa and her family. I loVe being a part of such a wonderful group of women … You are a true gem! huGs Suzanne
P.S. Melissa … thoughts and healing prayers for you and your family – I'm so sorry
July 9th, 2010 at 5:00 am
Thanks Kelly for sharing these huge discounts and the opportunity to help Melissa's family.
July 9th, 2010 at 5:17 am
the loss of any child is devastating, I too have lost a son back in '82 only 8 years old, so I truly feel for Melissa and her family, sometimes there are things our hearts just can't understand no matter the reason, the why's and guild is enormous, even tho you know you did everything you could, know you and your family is in my prayers for what ever it is worth.
July 9th, 2010 at 5:48 am
Kelly, the MM link is broken. I'm pasting the right one here just in case someone is visiting the page before you come to fix it.
http://www.mommasterminds.com/fundraiser.htm
July 9th, 2010 at 9:28 am
I am absolutely heartbroken for Melissa and her family. There are just no words. They'll be in my daily prayers. I'm so, so sorry. :'-(
July 9th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Thanks! I fixed it :)
July 9th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
This is one of the coolest gestures I've seen yet since working via the web.
July 9th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Right on this Kelly, I can't imagine what their sweet family is going through. Will tweet and get the word out!
July 9th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Our prayers are with Melissa and her family. What a terrible tragedy to happen to anyone. How great for her to know he is in God's arms and that she will one day see him again. Hugs and prayers.
July 9th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
To Melissa,
I am so sorry to hear about your little boy. My prayers are with you and your family.
July 9th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
OMG. I just got her email. Melissa I am so sorry. You and your family are in my thoughts. No one should have to go through this alone. I will help without a second thought.
July 9th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Losing a child is the hardest thing that can ever happen to a mother. I know, I lost my twins in 2007. Thank you for giving all of us the opportunity to help in whatever way that we can.
July 9th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I've always wanted to join MM, but now I simply MUST. This community of WAHMs is like a real family. I am so sorry, Melissa, I can't even imagine what you are going through. Kelly, you are a gift to the WAHM community.
July 9th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
I'm feeling heartbroken for Melissa and her family, what devastating news.
Melissa: My prayers are with you, your family and your dear baby boy.
July 9th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
My heart just breaks for Melissa and her family – praying for all of them!!
July 9th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Feeling very heart broken right now – although I'm thrilled knowing that this community is rallying behind Melissa and her family in this horrible time of need. My tears and prayers to their family.
July 9th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
I had no idea until just now. I'm so sad for their loss. :(
Nell
July 9th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
I would never have been where I am today in my marketing career without first coming upon IMSweetie. Right now, I have an 18-month little boy sleeping in the room next to my home office, and I could never imagine going through what Melissa is right now. From the first couple of lines in her email, the tears started to flow. I wish her and her family great strength through this heartbreaking time. Little Kyle is an Angel helping God's miracles happen everyday….with peace & love, Vanessa Roberts (and of course not a second thought towards donating to the Ingold family.)
July 9th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Thank you Kelly for sharing and setting up these fundraisers. This is so hard. We had to endure the loss of a newborn grandchild and it is truly devastating.
July 9th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
This is so very sad. I first met Melissa online about a year ago. I remember when she told me about Kyle. We connected because I also have a special needs little boy.
Keeping the family in my prayers and sending hugs and kisses to Melissa and family (for what it's worth).
July 9th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
I served with all friends
I am from Iran, Alireza. After hearing the child's illness and I was very sad because we are too far apart and working on my asshole I could just for this innocent child of God as I want her full health.
Alireza all respects.
July 10th, 2010 at 2:34 am
Kelly, thank you for giving us the opportunity to help in some small way. My heart goes out to Melissa and her family.
July 10th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Thank you Kelly for spear-heading this. Melissa and I did an interview just days before. Neither of us had ANY idea that this was so imminent.
I've just sent $500 and I'm challenging others… $5—$10—your starbucks allowance, your McDonald's allotment, something – anything – will not only help financially, but will speak volumes to this family about the power of moms, the power of women, the power of an online family and that the human spirit is still very real.
Carrie Wilkerson
The Barefoot Executive
July 10th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Wow!! My heart is breaking!! I am so sorry to hear this news and a special thank you to Kelly for letting us know. I will be helping as well.
Hugs,
Dr. Daisy
July 10th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
What a blessing to have fellow virtual friends to do such a thing.
July 10th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Hello again, dear friend all served in the program.
Sorry because I am in a lot of work and I do not for the Melissa's and do not account for the Currency can not be able to financially help the family but I still respect God as the great I pray her to give him full health.
Thank you Ali.
July 11th, 2010 at 12:57 am
Melissa, my heart goes out to you and your family in this time of loss.
July 11th, 2010 at 4:03 am
Melissa, my thoughts and prayers are with you and I'll be sending a donation.
Kelly – what a wonderful caring gift during a time that is unimaginable.
Love to all
Diana
July 12th, 2010 at 2:27 am
Just LOVE this community of women! I have sent out an email to every subscriber I have ever had and I'm so glad there is a donation available now too. Praying big time for you Melissa and your family. Thank you Kelly for just being who you are. Love you all!
July 12th, 2010 at 3:14 am
My heart and prayers go out to Melissa and her family.
July 12th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Wow Carrie!! Way to set the bar and show them how it's done :)
July 13th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Kelly – what an amazing thing you are doing here with the fundraiser.
July 15th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
Holy Schmoly! MM ROCKS! I had confidence that money would be raised, buy I never imagined it would be so much! Nice job!
July 18th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
I do believe that this comment is meant with the best intentions, but the wording just does not make sense. Read it….