Konnan Still Needs Your Help - Please Read
Konnan Update: Over $9000 Raised Towards Kidney Transplant Surgery (So Far), Ebay Auctions, Your Continued Help Needed
(Note from AD: ALL OVERSEAS CURRENCY ACCEPTED)
I want to personally thank everyone who has assisted in this drive over the last 2+ weeks. Whether the help was in the form of a financial donation, item for Ebay, or even spreading the news of this worthy cause, the response has been overwhelming.
As Konnan continues Dialysis and prepares for Kidney Transplant Surgery, the continued help is absolutely needed. This is a life threatening issue, and we have the power to truly make a difference.
So many people have stepped up. Several outside organizations have promised to help, yet we've seen nothing. As you all have realized in many different aspects of life, if you want something done you have to do it yourself. This drive is a joint effort.
Yes myself and Georgiann Makropoulos are the ones leading this cause. But without your support, this would not be possible to this point. $9000 raised in less than 3 weeks. Over $1500 responsible from Myspace plugs. Over $1000 raised from non-wrestling fans. We are humbled by your assistance. But we are far from done.
Aside from the financial help, there have been an overwhelming number of people offering their kidneys. I promise that everyone's information has been forwarded to Konnan. As of this writing, doctors are testing Konnan's mother to see if she can be the donor. It's a very personal issue and we are awaiting the outcome of the testing. If she can't for medical reasons, Konnan will be responding to you who have offered.
The hip is replaced. The infection unfortunately has taken its toll. This kidney transplant is needed soon. I would never ask anyone to feel obligated that they must help. But if you can, and if you want, please continue the efforts here so we can raise the cost for Kidney Transplant surgery which is in excess of $35,000. Konnan does not have any medical insurance.
Konnan is planning on having the surgery in Mexico because of the lower cost. In the United States, Kidney Transplant could cost $80,000 to $100,000.
With Konnan's blessing, Georgiann Makropoulos and myself started a drive worldwide to raise money to pay for Konnan's kidney transplant. Konnan also sends his love, appreciation, and thanks to everyone who has helped so far and also kept him in your prayers. We will be posting a new audio interview with Konnan soon. As he has told me several times already, what all of you are doing makes his 20 year wrestling career worth it that much more.
Below are several ways you can help. As I've said before, even if every wrestling fan donated $1. Or even $5. His surgery would be paid for in a second.
DONATION INFORMATION
TNA made a very generous gesture to Konnan by loaning him the money for his Hip Replacement Surgery. However Konnan is on his own with his Kidney Transplant.
With his blessing, we have set up a drive to raise money to cover the expenses so Konnan can have his Kidney Transplant. There have been countless numbers of fans, wrestlers, websites, and wrestling companies wanting to help Konnan in his true hour of need. Now you have the opportunity to do so.
A Paypal account and email address(GetWellKonnan@aol.com) has been setup so everyone can send donations. Every penny donated will go towards Konnan's Kidney Transplant Surgery. If you do not have a Paypal account, setting one up takes 5 minutes. If you prefer to send a donation by mail, an address is listed at the bottom of
this article.
For Paypal Donations, click the button link below. Or if you visiting Paypal directly, use the email address below for Donation information:
GetWellKonnan@aol.com (PAYPAL ADDRESS)
Physical link directly to Paypal Donation Page:
Donate $1, $10, $100, anything you can send. Can you imagine if every wrestling fan sent even $1? The cost for his surgery would be paid in a second.
ALL OVERSEAS CURRENCY ACCEPTED.
Paypal will convert all overseas currency to US Dollars.
*** You can include a private message to Konnan as wellwhen sending your paypal donation. All donations and messages will be received by Konnan.***
CHARITY AUCTIONS ON EBAY
Anyone that has a wrestling item, memorabilia, anything they would like to donate, please contact Georgiann Makropoulos at gmakpoulos@aol.com orAnthony DeBlasi@ baybkge@aol.com.
We will place all items on Ebay and all revenueraised for your item will be given to Konnan in your name.
SEND A DONATION, CARD, LETTER BY MAIL
Below is the mailing address for anyone who would like to mail a donation, even a card and/or letter to Konnan. Besides Paypal, you can send cash, checks, or money orders. Anyone that wants to send a check or money order, please make it out to 'Charles Ashenoff'. Mail all donations and Get Well Wishes to:
c/o Konnan
PO Box
140573
Howard Beach, NY 11414-0573
SPREAD THE WORD
I don't want to single out any websites or wrestling companies who have already assisted. But we thank all of you. I can assure you it is not going unnoticed, not by us or even Konnan.
If you have a favorite website, indy fed, fan site, etc, and haven't seen this information posted, send it to them. No site or fed is too big or too small.
Again it is very difficult to ever see the wrestling community come together for any reason. I am hopeful that in this case it will. There is no excuse why every fan, website, wrestling company, wrestler doesn't take a moment to help this man out.
We've set up all avenues on behalf of Konnan so assistance can be made for him. Now it is up to you. I strongly recommend you listen to Konnan's appearance on our show Thursday evening. It brought a tear to manyeyes.
LISTEN TO KONNAN'S MESSAGE
CLICK HERE to listen online to our interview with Konnan (1/4/2007)
OR
RIGHT CLICK AND SAVE to download the audio
Konnan has done so much for the wrestling world over the last 20 years. Let's return the favor and show our appreciation to Konnan.
Thank you for your time.
Anthony
DeBlasi
Contact Info,
Donation questions:
Anthony DeBlasi
(baybkge@aol.com)
Georgiann Makropoulos
(GMakpoulos@aol.com)
Also visit Konnan's MYSPACE page at:
www.myspace.com/konnan619
PREVIOUS ARTICLES RELATED TO KONNAN'S HEALTH / DONATION DRIVE:
CLICK HERE PRESS RELEASE #2 (1/21/07)
CLICK HERE PRESS RELEASE #1 (1/10/07)