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Doug's Chemo Relief - SoTA CTA

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Iron Maiden Chemo Relief Fund -  Avatars' Emergency Relief Initiative (SotA)


The campaign is on behalf of Doug (Iron Maiden) Rhea. Doug recently (and unexpectedly) discovered he has stage 4 colon cancer. Doug  needs $25K to cover overwhleming medical bills and rigorous chemo treatments. 

About Iron Maiden: 

Doug is 53 years old, married with 1 son, and 3 beautiful grandkids: Daegan 6, Cora 2, and newborn Griffin. Doug is an avid gamer and a major supporter of Shroud of the Avatar (a crowd-funded MMO game and community). Doug also hosts and runs the North Texas RPG Con (ntrpgcon.com) every year.
 
Our Mission

As a community, we can help Doug relieve the pressure of finances and focus on what is important: healing and getting well.  We will buy Doug's SoTA accounts (via this GoFundMe drive) and hold a charity auction for all whom contribute in this campaign (donating $100 or more). All proceeds will go to Doug (up to 25K) and the remainder will be put into a charity for others who are in desperate need (per Doug's request). He only seeks to pay his overwhelming medical bills, and then wants us to pay it forward to other Avatars in need.

A message from IronMaiden:

"I am humbled that so many people I've never met are willing to help.  I am positive I will beat cancer or at worst, keep it bay and be around another 20 years (I wanna see my grand kids grown up). So again I am so thankful for those helping to "buy my assets" it will all be put to good use, and if somehow after all this I still end up with some type of account, I'll still login to visit and try and meet everyone in game at some point... actually I could probably login to the game some time during this campaign to just say hi or give tours of lots or whatever... can't do too much, it wears me out sitting at the computer for more than an hour..."
 
-Doug

Donation Reward Levels:

Avatars who pledge $25 or more will recieve an exlcusive, rare cloak in game. This cloak will be custom-colored, and carry the unique name: Iron Maiden's Chemo Relief Fund. The style will be based-off of the ever-popular community events cloak:


Avatars who pledge $50 or more will recieve a free pass to the North Texas RPG Con courtesy of Doug (travel and lodging not included).

Avatars who pledge $100 or more will be invited to participate in an exclusive charity auction for Doug's SoTA accounts/deeds/add-ons. This auction will be commission free and provided by Shroud Markeplace.  


SoTA Developer Crafted-Item Auction -
The developers of Shroud of the Avatar have graciously donated some hand-crafted items that are now available for auction on Shroud Marketplace . Don't miss your chance to own a extremely rare relic! Included items by Lord British and Darkstarr!

Make Thex (Chad) Suffer Stretch Goals:

To keep momentum up, I'm going to be performing some stunts when we hit major funding milestones. I will post videos of my experiences here for you all to (laugh at) enjoy. Thanks for supporting this effort. 

Milestones:

5K: Ice bath (UNLOCKED) -
I will jump into my icy, icy pool. Even though I live in AZ, it will not be pleasant. Trust me.



10K: Hot Pepper Challenge (UNLOCKED) -
I will eat habanero peppers until I can't take it anymore (or die, which ever comes first).



15K: 5 Mile Ridiculous Costume Run (UNLOCKED) 
- I will run 5 miles wearing a costume of the community's choosing. I may lose all of my neighbors' respect, but hey, so friggin' what.

20K: Tuna Head Consumption (UNLOCKED) -
I'll eat the eyeballs, lips, and all...steamed over fresh greens. Hey, in some countries its a delicacy. Right? Right?

(Warning: not for the faint of heart, or for those about to eat lunch. :))



25K: Shave Thy Head
- I know this one has been done before, but look, its the universal 'show your solidarity with people battling cancer' gesture for good reason.

A Special Note to Non-Shroud of the Avatar Donors: 


I wish I had the ability to offer you something more tangible than my heartfelt thank you, but that is all I can do. Please know that your kindness is what makes hope possible. 

To all donors: family, friends, members of  other gaming communtities, kind samaritans and to all I may have forgotten: THANK YOU!!!

You're stepping up for Doug and making a real difference in his life. 

Please donate to and share this important initiative. 

Thanks to all who donate. :)

Organizer and beneficiary

Chad Ekern
Organizer
Gilbert, AZ
Douglas Rhea
Beneficiary

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