I have an idea~

[Guest guest]

Folks,

I have one of my crazy hair-brained ideas.

If everyone in this group chose a celebrity. Just one. Either an actor,

singer, or politician....just a recognizable name and face....and wrote them.

Appeal to them for being such a kind and caring person....ask them to help

us, help them.

By them helping us, we would make them look " human " in their world of crazy

celebrity. Who knows....it MIGHT work.....

I chose Willie . No particular reason. He just came to mind.

Everyone pick someone different. Just PICK SOMEONE. Why not?

My letter was sent to Willie's wife as follows.....

I am a fellow Texan, who is a part of an international group called

Pancreatits Association International. Our website is <A

HREF= " www.pancassociation.org " >www.pancassociation.org</A>

..  The members of this group are directly involved or affected by the disease

of pancreatitis.  If this disease sounds familiar to you, it is similar to

the cancer that took the life of Landon and others.  While Pancreatic

Cancer has a couple of non-profit organizations to raise awareness for its

cause, the sufferers of Pancreatitis do not.  A person who has pancreatitis

MAY eventually get Panc Cancer, but not necessarily......and what we need is

research done BEFORE that cancer diagnosis happens.  A person diagnosed with

Pancreatic Cancer most often is given about 3 months to live.  A person

diagnosed with one of the forms of Pancreatitis, may have months, or may have

years.  But all medical professionals agree, it's not exactly what you would

call " quality of life " .

  I know Mr. is considered the " Farm Aid " figurehead for all he has

done for the American farmers.  I know this, because my husband is a 3rd

generation farmer....and besides...any good Willie Fan can tell you that

too!  However, my hopes were to appeal to his wonderful nature of knowing

when he might be in a position to help someone....either by referral to

another celebrity, or by personal involvement.

  This disease is most often considered a progression of alcoholism.  But I

assure you, I, like many other folks out there, do not feel this is accurate

due to the fact that we have small children with this disease.  My son was

diagnosed at the age of 7, he is 10 now.  I was written to, just today, by a

mother in Ireland with a daughter 5 years old.

  We need a public voice.  We need someone to help us help the specialists

and universities who are making limited strides for us, primarily due to

financial constraints.  We need someone who will help us to raise funds and

educate public awareness that something might be able to be done BEFORE that

death sentence is " official " upon the evolving into the cancerous stage.  I

appeal to you for your help.  Whether it is advice, referral, or direct

involvement.

  When my son and I joined the online group of pancreatitis sufferers just

about 3 1/2 years ago, there were 11 children and just over 200 adults.  Just

this week, we gained 9 new folks.  There are something around 120 children

and 600 adults and it is growing daily.

  I look forward to your reply,

Respectfully,