This is Amanda's story:
In September 2005, Amanda de Lange founded Starfish Children's Services to save children who have special health needs that are the most at-risk in its partner orphanages. After nursing them back to health through solid nutrition and a loving environment, Starfish organizes and pays for the children’s surgeries before providing post-operative care. After the surgeries, the goal shifts to getting these children in the adoption pipeline so that they can join a stable, loving family.
At Starfish, Amanda has taken care of 150 children to date, arranged more than 175 surgeries and had 66 international adoptions, so our little starfishes live all over the globe: the US, Netherlands, Norway, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Canada, Australia and in China. Starfish currently has 49 babies under the age of 3 and a half at the foster home. Amanda is an amazing woman with an amazing vision. She has always maintained that the purpose of Starfish is, “For this child, I will make a difference…..”
Now, Amanda needs our help:
To our great sorrow, Amanda was admitted to a hospital in Xi’an recently for tests, and the doctors have determined that she has advanced stages of uterine cancer (stage 4/type B). She has begun chemotherapy and Amanda is receiving top medical care and will continue to receive the best treatment and care possible.
However, without medical insurance, her medical costs will be extremely expensive. Friends and loved ones worldwide are being invited to help cover the costs of her medical needs. For one who has given her life so unselfishly for the lives of babies, for the life of each “one” – including our Lia - this is our time to rally around her and make a difference in her life.
We invite you to consider making a donation in Amanda's name to help with her expenses. You can go to the Starfish website at http://www.thestarfishfosterhome.org/. Click on the orange Donate Now button in the upper right hand corner. Dedicate your donation “In Honor of” and type in "HUGS FOR AMANDA" in the box.
Help us make the "Hugs for Amanda" campaign a huge success and let Amanda know that we are here for her by sharing this information on your blogs, on Facebook, on the Yahoo groups you belong to and with your family and friends. Starfish will continue to post updates on their website about Amanda’s situation. Thank you for your help in this hour of her greatest need.
CARDS AND WELL WISHES TO AMANDA:
Jeannie Butler, a very close friend to Amanda and major supporter of Starfish, is going to China to be with Amanda - she will leave on March 1st. If you would like to send Amanda well-wishes in the form of a card or letter, please send them to Jeannie Butler to be received Jeannie no later than February 27, 2012 to the following address:
Jeannie Butler
Caring for China's Orphans
PO Box 210003
Nashville, TN 37221
