Help Ryan Get An iPad!

• introduction by Alice Shaffer
  I have been involved in the nanny profession for over 16 years. There have been some wonderful nannies who have done awesome things for others.  Today I want to share with you a story of how the nanny community and those outside the nanny community are coming together to help a child affected with Burkitt's Lymphoma for almost a year now.  I hope that you are able to help in some way, if not just reading this and giving positive thoughts for Ryan's recovery is great!
  
  
  Let's Get Ryan an iPad!
  by Charlotte Hilliker 
  
  As nannies it is only natural that we become attached to "our" kids. We are with them for many hours a week, feed them, care for them, and share in their ups and downs. We can't help but fall in love with them. Tara Lindsay is a nanny who loves the kids that she cares for. If you are friends with her on Facebook, you have no doubt had a chuckle or two at the stories she tells of her current charges. Her love for them is obvious. Her love for a previous charge - Ryan - is obvious, too.
  
  Ryan's story can be found at www.ryanrocks.net, but the short version is this: Ryan is now a very sick little boy. He has been battling Burkitt's Lymphoma for almost a year now. Tara has often taken to Facebook to ask for prayers for Ryan. She has shared updates of his condition, and even helped organize a fundraiser to raise money for his medical expenses.
  
  
  In March, Ryan's family received news that he was in the clear, medically. In May, he was back in the hospital fighting for his life. This poor little 7 year old boy has spent the last year in and out of hospitals.
  
  We (the nanny community) are trying to raise money to buy Ryan an iPad. He needs things that improve his hand strength and dexterity, not to mention things to distract him and keep him busy as he is stuck in bed quite often. The goal is $850, which would buy him the largest WiFi iPad available, a case, and a $50 iTunes gift card to get him started.
  If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause, please email me at phillychar (at) gmail (dot) com for information. We are trying to get this surprise to him as soon as possible, so please hurry! Don't worry if you don't have much to give. This is a case where literally every bit helps. If every nanny reading this gives just $5, we will surpass our goal in no time.
  
  Thank you in advance for your kindness, Charlotte Hilliker