EMERGENCY request - PLEASE help So Calif

[Guest guest]

Dear Lyme Family --

Objective:  Southern California needs your participation in a matter that

impacts all of us -- keeping Dr. Therese Yang's clinic open.  I am requesting

that a simple hardcopy letter be mailed, immediately.  One could easily cut

and paste from recently created letters.  These letters will then be bundled

and forwarded to Oprah Winfrey for the " Use Your Life Award " with a cover

letter from a Lyme-literate MD.  I have attached a post from Dr. Yang,

following this E-mail.

Content of Letter:  A convincing, short testimonial as to why Dr. Yang's

Family Care should be honored with $100K and an invitation to be on Oprah's

show.  Lyme does not have to be presented as the primary concern, this could

prove to be strategically wise.  I wouldn't exclude Lyme, it SHOULD be

mentioned but not as the sole reason for consideration.          

Background:  California is a strong sister to all the Lyme issues happening

back east and other parts of the U.S.  Different areas have taken on

individual personifications; Texas is the state we all wish we could emulate

or live in.  California is in the midst of a tremendous amount of Lyme

warfare.  The pendulum could swing either way.  We have an emerging political

climate with the 1999 Lyme Initiative SB 115 and the newly formed Lyme

Disease Advisory Committee (LDAC).  Everyone looks to California as being

progressive, open and liberal.  This is probably a result of a perceived

image rather than the reality.  Regardless, we are about to have one of the

only places in southern California for Lyme treatment close...........Dr.

Therese Yang.

Biography:  Dr. Therese Yang is a selfless, down-to-earth medical

professional.  A true doctor.  She derives no income for her full time

efforts.  She gives all of her being to the clinic for free.  She turns NO

ONE away for lack of funds or insurance.  The Lyme community cannot afford to

lose her.  There are hundreds of Lyme patients (several are from

out-of-state) dependent on care and the number is rapidly rising.  This honor

will lead to national exposure, additional contributions and potentially act

as a future safety net from harassment.   " Lyme Mondays " cannot go away.  NO

ONE is more deserving!

History of this request:  I believe that a patient had attempted this in the

past.  This time with a different approach, facilitated by an MD, the outcome

will be successful.

Goal:  50+ letters.

Conclusion:  We are all in this together!

Mailing address:  Address the actual letter to Oprah Winfrey, but mail to

for collection --

c/o Grandilli

American Lyme Association

P.O. Box 16063

Beverly Hills, CA  90209-2063

LymeNet@...

==========

" We will not go away, "

Annie (Lil's Mom)

P.S.  Please E-mail me should you have further questions.  I apologize in

advance for repeatedly sending out this E-mail until the needed letters are

gathered.

==========

Subj:   fundraising ideas, help   

Date:     6/13/01 10:53:35 AM Pacific Daylight Time   

From: yangdyfc@... (Therese Yang)

I am sending this to you all for input. I have also sent it to several of my

patients:

I am throwing this out knowing that many of you have terrific business and

financial expertise. I need to find $20K by Friday (donations or loan), in

order to make payroll.

As you know, despite the fact that my time is 100% volunteer, the clinic is

constantly in financial distress. For the past 4 years, God has pulled us

through with the help of our community. I am hoping to initiate an annual

mail drive, or e-mail drive, or something. It needs to start ... long ago....

I am looking for ideas and, more importantly, someone to spearhead the

fundraising.

We are again in an acute situation. Our rent and SDG & E bill went up.... We

have changed our billing from individual (Dr. Yang) to group (Dr. Yang and

Dr. and whoever else joins....). Perhaps this is why we are having an

extreme low in our income. If so, it should pick-up again within a month.

Nevertheless, we have not been able to meet our expenses and payroll is due

again this Friday.... Sadly, 30% of our staff have been given notice of

termination at the end of the month.

Why am I asking you for help? Seeing a Lyme patient costs me about $160-200

per visit. This number is astounding to me. (Please note, this amount does

include the salary of a 32 hours-a-week Infectious Disease Patient Manager

(at $16/hr), which we desperately need.) Those of you who have HMO probably

realize that I am paid about $10-14 per month regardless of the amount of

time your care entails. If you are Medi-Cal, I am probably getting paid $7-17

IF they pay at all.

I can no longer afford to direct personal assets for the privilege of helping

people. Loans are not available unless I personally back them.... Grants take

several months....

We will be asking for $200 to reserve a new Lyme appointment and $100 for

follow-up appointments. If you already have an appointment, this will not be

requested, but donations will be appreciated.

Please keep our mission in your prayers,

Therese H. Yang, MD

The realist continues to adapt him/herself to the world; the dreamer

continues to try to adapt the world to his/her dream; therefore most progress

comes from the dreamer.

From a sermon by Mark Trotter

Due to time constraints, Dr. Yang only reads these e-mails about once every

7-10 days. If you need a quicker response, please send to yang@...,

which is reviewed every workday morning.

Dr. Yang's Family Care is a struggling 501©(3) nonprofit medical

corporation with a mission to make quality, comprehensive health care

available to everyone. Dr. Yang's time is 100% volunteer. If you would like

to make a donation in thanksgiving for her time and service, it will be used

to help others who need care.

Please make donations payable to

DYFC Angels

10201 Mission Gorge Rd.

Santee, CA 92071

Thank you and God Bless You!