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Short Summary
Hello my name is Zac Bender, I am an artist and here is my story:
I was sitting in a clinic with my father as he started his bone marrow transplant. I was there beside him and wondering and worrying about so many things. I felt overwhelmed by it all. Then I looked at him he saw my worry, it made him worry even more. I decided then that I would make sure to try to raise his spirits. I started drawing something that seemed equal parts ridiculous and fun and for the most part it worked he would crack a smile here and there as I showed him progress on the piece. I was ecstatic that in a situation where I felt helpless I could actually have a impact.
I saw in this sketchbook had 50 pages then a light bulb came on. I knew we would be going through the treatments for up to 6 weeks so I figured why not try to keep his spirits up one day at a time. I decided to do one sketch a day. Drawing from my memories of friends, family, and situations, each sketch i tried to leave a piece of me in them. Before I knew it the 50 days were up. I wish I could say that is where the story had a happy ending and everything was rainbows but sadly this is not the case.
Soon after, my mother found out that she in fact needed a kidney and that the medical costs would be astronomical. We were discussing various avenues to raise money for the surgery and that’s when it hit me — I could compile the manimal sketches into an art book and sell them to raise money for the cause. She always supported me and pushed me even when she was working three jobs and going to college. She has always been there for me. I can’t idly sit and watch her suffer.
I discussed the idea with some colleagues and performed a bit of market research. The results were so promising that I decided to create a crowdfunding campaign for the project, and here we are!
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So then I decided to create a Indiegogo $3500 using the art prints, original art, books, and other ideas as the rewards. I want to donate all the money I make from the kick starter and the art show to her kidney fund. I was hoping you would be able to help me by backing Project Manimals!
- The funds will be used to print the book and the prints
- The profit will be used to fund my mother's kidney fund
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If the project gets funded it would mean a ray of hope for my family and especially my mother. If we exceed the goal then we will be closer to completely funding the transplant which will cost $35,000
Let me level with you guys. This is my mother, the one who raised me while working 2 and sometimes 3 jobs at a time because that is what she needed to do. Now I need your guys help. I am selling my art that she supported in my childhood and now as an adult i hope to support her with it.
- The materials for her dialysis is very costly
- The surgery itself is astronomically expensive.
- The medicine afterward is not cheap.
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I don't foresee any challenges or risks due to the fact i have done my research and made sure to cover not only the printing and binding of the books but also the shipping.
- The art is already complete
- The book is already designed
- I am just waiting for your help
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I understand that not everyone can help by donating but everyone can:
- Please get the word out and make some noise about Project Manimals!
- Share, like, post, tweet, tell your dog so he can tell other dogs!