Saturday, November 6, 2010

Randy Meyer is a Fictional Hero; Jeremiah is a Real One

Jeremiah Boland is a junior at Parkrose High School. In August of 2006, he was diagnosed with a disease called Juvenile Nasal AngiofibromaI. These are tumors that have invaded his sinus and nasal cavities. Most of his seventh grade year was spent in the hospital and at home. On May 13, 2010 he had a setback. After a nosebleed that lasted five and a half hours, doctors discovered the tumor had doubled in size and was now life threatening. The tumor had intertwined itself with the carotid artery. His team of doctors decided that surgery was too risky. The only option for treatment is Gamma Knife Radiation. The long-term effects from the radiation, compared to immediate fatality, were the deciding factor for treatment. Jeremiah has a long road ahead of him but refuses to let it hold him back. His goal is to play football his senior year.


As a teacher in the Parkrose School District, I have had the privilege of getting to know the Boland family through their wonderful children, some in my class, some by acquaintance. In either case, they are a wonderful, loving family stricken by these unexpected circumstances Jeremiah now faces. My school has rallied to show their love and support for Jeremiah through the Sparrow Club, an organization which raises money for a family facing medical expenses due to a child‘s illness. My school has been involved in this for four years now, but for the first time, the child is one from our own community, a young man many of us know and admire.

When I think of what Jeremiah and his family are going through during this trying time, and the strength they’ve shown, I see true heroism, and want to do anything within my power to help them. Which is why I decided that I will give 100% of the ebook royalties of my first novel, Killer Cows, to Jeremiah and the Bolands in order to help with the long and expensive road which lays ahead for them. When I signed my first book contract with Echelon Press, I fulfilled a lifelong dream. And, the way I see it, what better way to make the most of one’s dream than to help someone else achieve theirs? And really, it is a small gesture on my part, but one I hope can help make a difference.

And it is actually so easy. The ebook is $3.00, and half of that would go to help Jeremiah. My goal is to raise at least $1,000 for him. That's 2,000 ebooks. A huge goal, but one that's possible. So please, if you are reading this, spread the word. Everyone who buys a copy of Killer Cows will not only get a fun read, they'll be helping a great kid.

Killer Cows is available at:
Fictionwise:  http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b107106/?si=0
Omnilit: http://www.omnilit.com/product-killercows-416757-251.html
Amazon: http://bit.ly/ci33oe