Maree Fundraising Campaign

On June 20, 2008, a fundraising campaign was started with the help of Wikimusicguide.com, Magazinesubscriptions.ws and WebbyShop.com. The Maree Fund is the campaign launched for the benefit of a six year-old child named Jerthrude Maree Sarmiento who was diagnosed with Atrial Septal Defect and greatly needs surgery as soon as possible. Their goal is to raise $5,000 in 30days.

Atrial Septal Defect, (ASD) usually referred to as the "hole", is a congenital heart ailment where the wall in the heart had an incomplete closure. The only way to cure this kind of defect is through an open-heart surgery. If the closure is not treated immediately, it may lead to life-threatening complications such as pulmonary hypertension (may also cause eternal damage to the lungs), increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. Once the hole has been closed, further surgical operation is not likely to occur. Atrial Septal Defect, for unknown reason, affects girls twice as much as boys who are born with congenital heart ailment. As soon as the hole is closed, the person who is suffering from it will have a normal, healthy life. He/She would be able to do normal things like playing games, exercise and other physical activities that they can’t do before because of ASD.

Jerthrude Maree Sarmiento, born on February 6, 2002, was diagnosed with ASD last March, 2004. Although it was detected when she was just 2 years old, the operation was postponed due to lack of money. With her recent check up made this 6th of June, 2008, her 2Dechocardiogram result showed that pulmonary hypertension is beginning to form and if the heart operation won’t be performed soon, then it might be too late. There is no exact time frame on how rapid the pressure in her lungs will increase. The only sure thing is that the higher the pressure, the higher the risk of irreparable damage may occur that even surgical procedure can’t correct.

That’s why Wikimusicguide.com, Magazinesubscriptions.ws and WebbyShop.com came up with the Maree Fund to help this young girl live a better life. They are determined to reach their objective in 30 days to help this youngster with her operation. Each website has its own way of promoting their cause.

Wikimusicguide is giving away CDs to those who will donate to the Maree Fund. All supporters will get a chance to win a CD of their choice. Winners will be picked via electronic raffle at the end of the fundraising campaign and will be posted at their website.
WebbyShop is offering 5% savings on all their Magic Sing products and accessories. Same promo goes with their Magazine Subscriptions (US only), where subscribers will get 5% savings on all subscriptions. All earnings of WebbyShop’s Magic Sing and Magazine Subscriptions will go directly to the Maree Fund to help pay for this little girl’s operation.

Everybody has been working real hard for this fundraising campaign. Since the beginning of the campaign, the donations came pouring in. It only proves that there are still kind Samaritans out there who are ready to give help to save a child’s life.