Helping Friends

Hi folks

Magicians who read this blog will undoubtedly know the names of Aldo and Rachel Colombini.  I have been lucky to know both Aldo and Rachel for a number of years - even before they met and then married a few years ago.  Well, now these friends are in need of help, so I thought I'd pass on the information to try to spread the word.

Basically, Rachel is in need of open heart surgery due to the return of a life-threatening infection that she contracted some 3 years ago.  The cost of the surgery is somewhere in the region of $200,000 (yes, TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars!!!).  Now you might sit there and say "haven't they got health insurance?"  Well yes they do, but it is limited and that, along with loss of earnings due to both Aldo and Rachel being self-employed, puts the surgery out of their financial reach at the moment.

So, how can we help?  Well, there are 3 options - and you can choose any or all of them.

• First, you can visit magic4miracles.com, a site set up to keep everyone posted about Rachel's progress and for people to donate money to the fund.
• Second, pay a visit to Aldo and Rachel's online store and treat yourself to a few of their products.  Everything is $10 - tricks, DVDs and books - and they are also offering a "buy one, get one free" offer.  So, choose 4 items and pay for 2.  Choose 20 items and only pay for 10!  You get the idea.
• Finally, pay a visit to Lybrary.com and buy "Wild At Heart", an e-book that has been compiled by 13-year-old Kyle MacNeill with all the and that contains magic from some of the most creative people in magic, including Peter Duffie, Ben Harris, Gary Jones and many more.  What's even more amazing is that Kyle doesn't even know the Colombinis!  He has created this project purely because of their joint love for magic.

You can also read a frank interview with Rachel about her condition over at the IBM's website.

I don't know if Aldo or Rachel will read this, but I'll write this bit anyway.  Rachel - please take care of yourself and get yourself well soon.  And don't rush it!  Aldo - you take care of that wife of your's and make sure you look after yourself!  I'll see you both sometime soon.

If you can afford to, give them a little help.  You know it's the right thing to do.

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)