Main fundraiser photo

Chris and Kristen

Donation protected
God sent me an email….Let me explain

Stressed, tired, and over caffeinated I sat at my desk, drowning in projects. Suddenly, I received what felt like the 10th inquiry that day (I'm a photographer in NYC) for yet another client wanting to squeeze in a last minute holiday shoot. Me being my cynical self, I mentally started prepping my declination as I opened the full message.

Kristen was requesting a photoshoot for her and her husband Chris during their trip to NYC during their final year of travel. She informed me that Chris was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of ALS and that this will most likely be their last holiday spent together. I lost it.

If you have been following me long enough, you know that my aunt passed away a few years back during her battle with ALS. I watched her quickly wither away, transforming a strong, bold, and admittedly hard headed woman into a shell of her former self. It is quite possibly the most horrible disease a human being can face.

I have often wrestled with the concept of god. Being an ICU nurse for so many years, it’s sometimes difficult to justify the idea. However, if there is a big man in the sky, then I knew he was sending Kristen my way for a reason.

I told Kristen that although I am fully booked I want to take the shoot.. under two conditions. 1) That she allows me to do the shoot for free, and to take the money and allocate it towards Chris’s care. And 2) that she allows me to post the photos and run a fundraiser in Chris’s name. She accepted gracefully.

I have seen blessing after blessing this past year. My amazing parents are healthy. I received my masters. I am engaged to the love of my life. My brother is advancing his career. I have created a 6 figure photography business from nothing. It is my turn to give back.

My original goal was that if I received 4000 shares on my instagram post then I would donate $1000 to the ALS foundation. At the time of writing this, in just under 6 hours we are almost half way there. The response I have received has brought tears to my eyes and I cant even begin to thank everyone. However, as we have this momentum, lets take this one step further.

Numerous followers have reached out asking how they can donate as well. Therefore I am starting this fund to collect money for Kristen and Chris Peters. They both LOVE to travel and I think there would be no better Christmas gift for them then to be able to help them out with their next vacation while Chris still can. 100% of all proceeds here will be donated to both Kristen and Chris. I thank you all from the very bottom of my heart in helping me help make a difference.


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Donations 

  • Andrew Piel
    • $100
    • 1 yr
  • Timothy Mccann
    • $20
    • 1 yr
  • The Future Raguso's
    • $110
    • 1 yr
  • Tayla Lugo
    • $20
    • 1 yr
  • Dana Free
    • $22
    • 1 yr
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Organizer and beneficiary

Anthony Raguso
Organizer
Staten Island, NY
Christopher Peters
Beneficiary

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