For those of you who know Ragan from TRF, he is having some serious health issues and currently needs help. I've known him for more than 22 years so he is a good friend of mine and my family. Please read the email I received from his girlfriend over this last weekend:
Hello Everyone:
I'm sending out this e-mail to give you news about Ragan and ask for your help. Some of you may know about Ragan's recent health problems and others may not....so, briefly...
Back in November while working at faire, he starting having stomach cramps which kept getting progressively worse as the day wore on. On site, the EMT'S were called to check him out and they recommended he go to the emergency room. A friend drove him to Tomball Regional where they determined he was dehydrated, had diverticulitis and had perforated his bowel. They did emergency surgery to remove 6 inches of his colon and place a temporary colostomy bag--the reversal would take place 2-4 months later, after the infection had cleared up and he had a chance to heal.
Since he has no insurance, friends are now in the process of trying to raise money for the reversal. There is a benefit planned for Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Henry's Hideout in Fetzer, Texas which is near Plantersville.
A website has been set up with more details at 'helpsaveragan.weebly.com'. There will be 5-6 bands playing, a raffle, silent auction, and BBQ....and it will be a great time to get together and visit. We haven't seen some of you in a long time.
I only have limited e-mail addresses and would also ask that you help spread the word.
Hope you are able to join us!
Joy
I dont think I will be able to make it. But will they accept online donations?
Yes you can go here www.helpsaveragan.weebly.com
I posted this here somewhere with the info....there's a paypal thing set up if you wish to donate online.
He has been a big part of my Fair life I meet him when i was around 12 or 13 maybe younger. I will see if Jacob and I cn get off work to make it we don't have much but we will try to help.
Botch!! LTNS
Sorry to hear about Ragan's health issues.. two of my close family here are dealing with that exact problem at the moment, and it's no picnic :(
I'm passing along the link to your post to a some of our camp folk who I know for sure know Ragan, but who aren't active on this forum (allen, ojy, some of the sword shop folk, a few folk from back in the days of Camp Debauchery, anyone else I can think of).
Sending positive energies,
--Gwendolynn
I will definitely pass this info along to anyone I can think of as well.
With luck, I may be able to make it to the benefit. Sundays are difficult with our schedules around here, but I sure plan to try.
Seeing if I can bump this up....May 17th...a Sunday....Ragan's benefit at Henry's Hideout. They'll be raffles, excellent bbq, music, face painting, bake sale, homemade soap for sale, etc... I get to drag out all my cookie making stuff again....yay! Everything we take in is going straight to Ragan's fund!
Would love to see everyone!!
I know Ragan's benefit is the same weekend as the Houston Highland games...but we are still hoping for a good turn out. Some of the things planned:
BBQ
Bake sale
Cake Walk
Homemade soap for sale
Handmade Hemp Bracelets for sale
Balloons and face painting
Lots of good stuff in the raffle: small firing cannon, pool table, movie passes, Mary Kay baskets, jewelry just to name a few
Live Bands
This is a kid friendly event...so all are welcome! We are really hoping for a good crowd out to help out a fellow rennie who needs assistance.
And I'm sure some of us will bring our faire drums and have a kick butt drum jam sometime during the event! If you have one, bring it! ;D
Does anyone have a picture? I think I know him but I am not sure. I know a lot of people in the participant community but some of them only by sight or by casual conversations on the paths.
www.helpsaveragan.weebly.com
This site has photos...and info and maps to Henry's Hideout.