September 2005
From the desk of: Frank F. Lunn

Please let me introduce you to two of my dear friends -
along with a valuable life lesson I learned from them.

Dear Friend,

This letter serves as an introduction to our 2005 annual fundraiser and awareness campaign entitled Blessings In Adversity(BIA) with the sole beneficiary being St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to support their mission of:

"Finding cures. Saving children."

Blessings In Adversity is a unique fundraising campaign that our business, along with a group of dedicated partners and colleagues, sponsor each September to coincide with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Our friends in the business community and publishing industry have generously donated valuable goods and services, which can all be delivered electronically for your immediate convenience.

Our simple objective is to compel you to trade some of your hard-earned currency for these valuable bonuses as a way of raising money for the pioneering work and daily lifesaving efforts of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We do not make any money from this fundraiser. 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to St. Jude.

Click here to go directly to the Blessings In Adversity Homepage and
Start making a difference against childhood catastrophic disease...

As the campaign name implies, the Blessings In Adversity theme represents a philosophy of practical optimism - learning to discover positive aspects and beneficial opportunities even in the darkest of circumstances. In no way is this meant to trivialize the lives of Maya and Nick or minimize the grief, sorrow and loss experienced by their families and friends. Instead, this is a message built on the hope and inspiration of the lives of these two - one young child and one young adult.

Let Me Start Off By Telling You What This Is Not

This is not a sympathy letter to make you feel sorry for anyone or a downer letter to make you feel depressed and wiped out after reading it. Nor is this a 'Pollyanna' rose-colored glasses or stick-your-head-in-the-sand ostrich approach to dealing with difficulties. Again, this is about practical optimism. It is about mining for nuggets of advantages, learning, growing and sharing with others. Yes, even in sorrow, heartbreak and deep adversity, there are still blessings to share.

Many Times Hope Is Born Out Of Sorrow

My two young friends, Maya Pettit and Nick Rudolph passed away from this earth too soon. Yet they made an impact and forever touched my life. I am honored to share part of their legacy with you. There is more information, pictures and stories of Nick and Maya to celebrate their lives on our main Blessings In Adversity website. (Click here to go there now)

A Blessings In Adversity approach does not prevent grieving, heartache, anguish or sorrow or any of the full spectrum of human emotions. All of these are very natural. No matter how monumental the emotion; like the loss of a loved one, or something smaller in scale but still troubling, a moment of truth arrives along with a choice. The situation is out of your control, but your actions and attitude belong to you. Will you dwell on the negative emotions and let them consume you? Or, instead will you look for something more positive to gain or to give to others?

This letter and our campaign is dedicated to the lives of two kids I knew and loved. They are forever a part of my St. Jude family. This campaign is a tribute to Maya Pettit and Nick Rudolph. It also represents thousands of other young children whose lives never reached full bloom because we have not yet won the race against childhood cancer and catastrophic disease.

Participating In This Campaign Will Give You an Opportunity
To Take Action and Make A Real Difference.

Skip this letter and go directly to the
Blessings In Adversity Homepage

Blessings In Adversity is a fundraising campaign and a deep rooted philosophy we feel compelled to share. It represents our sincere belief that even in the midst of sorrow, hardships, difficulty - and yes, even heartbreaking tragedy - with time, the right attitude and proper perspective we can find blessings. Our society does not teach this so we tend to only see the negative side of things.

"To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Expected!"

Wow! This is a loaded sentence if ever there was one. Jesus said these words as did former president, John F. Kennedy and also former Supreme Court Chief Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes.

In 2002, I came close to losing my then nine-year-old son, Frankie, to leukemia. I cannot fully describe how it feels to nearly lose a son and then have the gift of his life return to us. Nor can I adequately describe how that joy is contrasted by the sorrow and anguish for others who became part of our family - knowing many still struggle today while others have sadly passed on. Even now with cancer-free children like Frankie there is always a shadow looming over their future.

With Great Opportunity, Comes Great Responsibility

When I think about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Danny Thomas' dream in its founding that, "No child should die in the dawn of life," I feel a great sense of responsibility to share our story and how our family was touched. I also feel a need to share the story of Maya and Nick and the many others they represent - certainly not as some statistic, but instead as two true blessings and joyful lights I was both privileged and honored to know.

Last year's Blessings In Adversity campaign centered around my son Frankie's battle against leukemia and the lessons our family learned through his ordeal. Thankfully, he is now a healthy 12-year-old in complete remission in the 6th grade living his dream of playing football for the first time. He also has ambitions of being a quarterback for the Chicago Bears someday, but truthfully, I am thrilled at every opportunity to play backyard catch with him.

Our family certainly discovered blessings in his adversity. Nick and Maya and their families are two easy examples. During our time at St. Jude we made some amazing new friends and became part of a larger new extended family.

You had me at hello - show me how to make a donation!

Our "Dream Big and Don't Look Back" Goal

1. The goal for our 2005 Annual Blessings In Adversity campaign is twofold: Create publicity and awareness for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and support their mission of: "Finding cures. Saving children."
   
   Anyone who has been touched by cancer needs to know more of the pioneering research performed and freely shared by St. Jude.
   
   
2. Raise $1 million to donate to St. Jude in the 30 days of this campaign, September 2005.

Why $1 million?? This represents a single day's operating expenses for patient care, science, research and all of the related work that goes into the very simple, yet vitally important two components of: "Finding cures. Saving children."

Thirty Six Minutes...and Counting!

Last year our goal was the same as this year. One million dollars to partner with St. Jude in one day's operating expense. Admittedly, we were a little naive going into the promotion with lots of things we didn't know - let's just say it was a learning experience.

Fortunately, some great friends stepped in to help us. We made our share of rookie mistakes and yet it still worked out. Even though we missed our goal of $1 million dollars, we still raised $25,000 and generated a lot of great PR and awareness for the work St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is doing. OK, so instead of a full 24-hour day, we were only able to underwrite the equivalent of 36 minutes. Disappointing? Yes. But now with a fresh perspective, we are excited to build from there.

"Time to Practice What You Preach, Motivation Boy!"

Ouch! I am not at liberty at this moment to share the originator of this little admonishment. Let's just say it is someone close to me. I have some soul-searching confessions to make. Not pretty, but I assure you it is real.

To bypass my inner drama and go directly to our
Blessings In Adversity Homepage, click here now.

Blessings In Adversity - The Back Story

I am a day-to-day business owner, author and an entrepreneur finding my success in helping others achieve their dreams. More importantly, I am a husband to a great wife, Lisa, and the proud father of Frankie, Matthew and Rachel. In March of 2002, this role expanded in a way I never planned. I became a St. Jude Dad upon Frankie's diagnosis of cancer. Thankfully, Frankie's story is still happy as he remains in complete remission. I am and will continue to be eternally grateful to St. Jude for saving his life and have undertaken their mission as my own.

"Whatever you can do or dream you can do - begin it! Boldness has genius, magic and power." - Goethe

We thought our Blessings In Adversity story and campaign idea was compelling - I was sure Oprah's people would be calling any day. She didn't. Our results?

So What Do We Do Now??

After last year, we could have just let the Blessings In Adversity campaign fade away. Tempting, but I could never let that happen due to my family's experience and the lives of children like Nick and Maya that touched our hearts.

I have come to accept their passing as a blessing as they are no longer in pain and both with God in Heaven. Although their physical presence is no longer with us, their memory and the tenacity of their spirit live on.

This inspires me every day!

In addition to Frankie and our family's story, we will tell Maya and Nick's stories to bless others sharing their lives as a message of hope and inspiration. There are lots of Frankie's and Maya's and Nick's too numerous to mention. Truly, we can make a difference together.

Quitting is NOT an Option!

"No child should die in the dawn of life" -Danny Thomas

So for 2005, our goal remains the same...only our deadlines have changed.

Our goal is still to raise $1 million dollars for St. Jude in 30 days!

And if we don't hit that mark?

Then we will learn and improve for the next year. We are committed to doing this every September (coinciding with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month) from now until the day that Danny Thomas' dream is fulfilled.

OK, OK already...just show me how to get involved!

I must admit I am still excited about the thought of a big check presentation and hoopla. The marketer in me still sees opportunities for press and exposure...but with one fundamental change.

I now look forward to giving a big check with lots of zeros to Cara and Rob Pettit and Christi and Mike Rudolph to give to St. Jude in memory of their loved ones whose early deaths will never diminish the impact they had in this world! Their short lives symbolize that although Danny Thomas dream has made tremendous gains with cure rates going from 4 percent to 80 percent, we still have a long way to go.

Quitting Is The Only Thing That Cements Failure

Real success is almost always built upon failure with redirected effort enough time until the desired result is achieved. Failing is not anything to be ashamed of - life is filled with failure and the opportunity to learn and apply forward.

With Frankie's remission and continued good health and the daily memories of Maya and Nick and so many others, we are committed to moving forward with a goal worthy of those who inspire us! Whatever happens this year will happen. We will accept it, learn from it, adapt and do better next year. This is our commitment.

Our campaign is based on raising awareness for the mission and lifesaving, pioneering work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to provide them resources to continue. The need is still there!

When Danny Thomas first founded St. Jude in 1962, the survival rate of leukemia was only 4 percent. Over 40 years of effort and focus, the survival rate has increased to more than 80 percent.

This is a Certainly a Great Accomplishment by St. Jude.
Our Motivation, However, Centers on the Harsh Reality
of the Flipside of that Statistic:

20 Out Of 100 Families Still Have to Bury Their Children
This is Just Not Acceptable!

Results from BIA 2004 are only feedback for us to learn from and correct course for BIA 2005. After this year, whatever our result - good, bad or ugly - we are committed to learning, adapting and continuing until we reach our million dollar goal... and then we will create new goals.

Things never go as planned, especially when you are still learning. Although we did fall short, we did achieve something for St. Jude and set up a great foundation to build on each and every year. In addition, we formed the Kahuna Charitable Foundation as a Not-For-Profit corporation to help us facilitate and organize this campaign each year along with our other fundraising efforts.

Blessings In Adversity 2005 and Beyond...

Our team is absolutely committed to continuing, building and improving this campaign every year. We are completely in line with Danny Thomas' initial vision of eradicating childhood catastrophic diseases. At the same time, we are also dedicated to sharing a message of hope and practical optimism to take action in whatever circumstances presented to create blessings and opportunities.

Nick and Maya represent just two of more than 20,000 patients in over 60 countries treated by St. Jude over the last 40 years. In addition to Maya and Nick, we dedicate our efforts to every child touched by St. Jude past, present and yes - even and especially the future!

In Tribute, Dedication and Memorial, We are Honored to Dedicate the 2005 Annual Blessings In Adversity Campaign to Maya Pettit,
Nicholas Rudolph and Their Families.

Our family (Frank, Lisa, Frankie, Matthew and Rachel Lunn) are grateful to have the honor and privilege of making the first donation to the Kahuna Charitable Foundation. As a loving tribute and memorial to Maya, Nick and all St. Jude patients, we joyfully donate $500 to represent each.

This is the first money for our 2005 Blessings In Adversity campaign to be presented in full to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We honor all of you and your families.

$500 In Memorial and Dedication to our friend Maya Pettit

Maya Marie Pettit June 3, 1999 - November 19, 2003

$500 In Memorial and Dedication to our friend Nick Rudolph

Nick Rudolph July 26, 1986 - February 8, 2004

$500 In Memorial and Dedication to the more than 20,000 patients St. Jude has treated since its inception, the many friends we made at St. Jude and the future patients whose lives will be touched and blessed by the work we do today at sometime in the future.

What Can You do to Help?

Thank you for staying with us! Please Click Here To Move Forward into our Blessings In Adversity Homepage. Don't forget to take advantage of our Bonus Offer, a treasure trove of valuable gifts donated by our generous friends, FREE to anyone who donates! There are many easy ways and opportunities for you to get involved. The homepage also contains more information about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Maya, Nick, Frankie, the Kahuna Charitable Foundation as well as ways you can get involved in our mission and assist us with this campaign.

Thank you for taking time to read this long letter and share this journey with us. Thanks also in advance for your support and participation in our mission to support St. Jude and continue to equip them to be for other families what they certainly were to mine and countless others...a real and tangible demonstration of the true meaning of Blessings In Adversity!

On behalf of everyone on the Blessings In Adversity Team, Blessings to you! Frank F. Lunn IV

"Frankie's Dad" and Forever Friend of Maya, Nick and the countless other St. Jude Kids.

The Kahuna Empowerment Team

Jamie Atchison, Executive Director of Kahuna Charitable Foundation

For Your Time...a FREE Book!
	As a special thank you for taking time to learn about our campaign, we invite you to claim the Blessings In Adversity - Convert Challenges, Difficulties and Hardships Into Blessings and New Opportunities. e-Book for immediate download - Normally priced at $29.95, it is yours without cost or obligation and free to share with others. It is an enhanced e-book dedicated to Maya and Nick with a focus on perspective and practical application to make the most out of whatever life gives you The Blessings In Adversity e-book is also included in the package of other valuable bonuses, generously donated by our friends and colleagues. Should you choose not to participate in our fundraising efforts, this gift is still complimentary - yours as promised as a sincere thank you for sharing your time with us.
Simply click here for a full description and claim your FREE gift now!

P.S. - The success of this campaign will only happen through word of mouth and a grassroots effort. Please send an e-mail with the www.BlessingsInAdversity.com link to others who might be interested in our cause for St. Jude.

We sincerely thank you!