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Photography Support Fund: Father of precious child needs our support!

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Keith Kiiroja

New member
Just a note to let you all know that Rhiannon is in what I like to call a hot spot right now. The doctors said that her counts were all high enough this past week for her to do some regular activities. This weekend we took her to the Long Island Balloon and Music Festival. Rhiannon got the opportunity to take part in Monster Truck Rally, Dirt Bike Daredevils, Carnival, Balloon Lighting, and a Concert.

She had a wonderful time and so did I. She was the brightest light there...below is a photos of Rhiannon with the American Flag Balloon.

Again, I have to Thank You ALL for the support...I am still fighting strong and have camera in hand.

RhiannonandFlag.jpg


This was taken in a hurry and is not a great photo...I just wanted to get a quick one of her with a balloon. I was working after all.
Thanks Again.
Keith
 
K

Keith Kiiroja

New member
Just so all of you know who we are...

MyFamily172dpi.jpg


Thanks Again...

Keith

P.S. this was taken yesterday afternoon and is the most recent you will get...haha
 
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janet Smith

pro member
Hi Keith & family

Well, I was having a good day anyway and this has just made it better, so glad to hear things are looking up for you - wonderful news......
 
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Kathy Rappaport

pro member
Hey Keith,

We're all here rooting for you. I popped off a few emails to some people who have connections and resources to help. A friend of mine's wife (they live in West Chester, PA.) started an organization that raises money for families with children with Leukemia;

I contacted another friend who has some similar connections as well. As Tom Bodett says in the Motel Six commericals,"We'll keep the lights on for ya"
 
D

Drew Strickland

New member
Jeff O'Neil let me know about the situation with Keith. I have posted a link to this thread, and his website on the home page of www.prophotohome.com

While I certainly do not buy into the notion of Karma, I do believe we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves.

While I don't personally know you, I hope and pray that you will be able to get back on your feet soon, Keith. I have a 6 year old daughter myself.
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Thanks Drew for your kind comments. At this junction we do need cash donations by PayPal or otherwise and also prints for resale. If you could add this, it would be so helpful as you do reach a large audience at Profoto.home , your own forum :)

Concerning your reservations about the concept of Karma: All words are in fact metaphors, even the words "up" or "down". Actually, Karma, to me, has no religious significance. It does, however reflect the injunction to "Love one's neighbor as one self." After all, that is the whole Jewish bible, the rest is commentary. I'm also reminded of King Solomon's wisdom to "scatter your bread apon the waters".

After all, if no one is hungry and we nurture one another we'd go some way towards a more peaceful society. On a more personal level, to have the privilege of putting one's hands gently around a child to protect them is, IMHO, amongst the most rewarding experiences.

So we appreciate very much you helping to get the word out!

Asher
 
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Jeff O'Neil

New member
Alright!

I just posted on Drew's site in 3 forums with some additional info. Working our various networks and contacts may well prove to be one of the most valuable assets we have.

Many thanks to Drew for allowing the cross posting.

Jeff
 
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Keith Kiiroja

New member
just so all of you know this is a very busy week for me and my family...Rhiannon goes for a spinal tap tomorrow morning and it is usually an all day thing...I have 3 shoots this week which I am doing for some stock footage with hopes that someone will need it in the future. That is usually the way that I have to work anyway...so, I am used to it.

I will be off and on throughout the week and Thursday I will try and post some nature, landscape, and photography as art photos...I hope you all enjoy my work as much as you enjoy taking your time to help out to people in need.

Thank you all again...
Be Well.
Keith
 
Cem_Usakligil

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
Hi Keith,

I wish Rhiannon lots of strenght tomorrow, I hope all will be fine.
Take care and shoot some nice ones yourself ;-)

Cheers,
 
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Dale H Lewis

New member
Keith,

As a father I thought I would encourage you by telling you that my daughter was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was 12. After 2 1/2 years of not much fun in her life, Samantha just celebrated her 6 year anniversary being "Leukemia" free. She now attends college and has adapted back to a normal life. I can tell you that this not so special experience helped "Sam" develop into a very very special person. I will be making a donation and will certainly be thinking about Rhiannon.

My Best

Dale
 
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Keith Kiiroja

New member
I want to once again that you all for all of your kind words and continued support. It really all has been a great help, help that would not be possible without the work of Dr. Asher Kelman. He really is great and I think he deserves a medal for all of his dedication and hard work. Not only to this cause but to the forum as well. So, if you can all do one more thing for me...

If you know someone who is not a member, tell them to join...if you yourself are reading this and you are not a member...do yourself a favor and join.

There is a lot of really great information and more important GREAT PEOPLE on this forum. I just wish that more and more people would join so the site would get the credit it so rightfully deserves.

Thank You.
Keith Kiiroja
dedicated OPF member
 
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janet Smith

pro member
Hi Keith

Sentiments which I and I'm sure lots of others of us here share, thank you for articulating this.

I and my family are still thinking of Rhiannon and keeping our fingers tightly crossed for more good news, keep strong....
 
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Angelica Oung

New member
I haven't used my paypal account for years and after my international move and closed accounts at home have no easy way of replenishing it.

But there were $19 in there, so paltry as it is it went to the fund.

Best of luck. You have a beautiful little girl!
 
nicolas claris

nicolas claris

OPF Co-founder/Administrator
Hi all
I just come back from 2 weeks "off" and discover this thread…

I'm so proud of OPF members! but we must keep helping until Keith gets a better living…

Asher, I'm PMing you right now…
 
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Keith Kiiroja

New member
Hello All...
Sorry I have not posted in a while...I have been really busy with my family and work. My spirits and confidence are up, this all has been a major help in so many ways.
Thanks Again.
Keith
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Hi Everyone,

Let me thank all of you for the fast and generous support to such a deserving cause.

You contributions have allowed us to stabilize the situation. Keith is now starting to get a few clients once more. He has just completed a product shoot in Canada where his music photography style was sought!

That, BTW, shows that photographers who develop a "look" which is recognized might eventually acquire more leads and new clients!

He's coming to Los Angeles shortly for another shoot after Thursday.

The lack of funds makes all this a struggle as space on hard drives, his video card and other things severely complicate working. He has no laptop. We will be gradually addressing this once the very most basic issues are dealt with. Thanks to John Hollenberg, a 550 EX will arrive in several days so accompany his lone remaining 580 EX!

His child is at home, with her grandmother, happy but does need to be sheltered as ALL under therapy has hills and valleys of white counts. If not for your support and grandma, Keith could not accept these new job opportunities. It's all a careful balance. Keith and I talk a lot so I'm pretty well up to date on all the issues.

I'm proud to be part of a community that is so caring and responsive.

Asher

Remember all the PayPal fees are made up so 100% of all your contributions go to the fund. If you wish you can also send funds by check and that saves the 3.5 to 4% but either way that is great!
 
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nicolas claris

nicolas claris

OPF Co-founder/Administrator
We have just posted a new article written by Asher Kelman on the story of Keith Kiiroja and his family.

it can be reached from the OPF front page or directly there

Worth the read!

Should this help more people to be sensitive to the story and do what they can to help, this could happen to anybody of us…
 
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Keith Kiiroja

New member
just so all of you know, I have not forgotten about you or OPF...I have been talking to Asher on a somewhat regular basis...pretty much as often as I can. He is very insightful. He has been helping me a lot thru some tough times. I will be posting some photos soon...I had a couple band shoots and also my trip to Canada will be on its was soon as well.

Hope you are all well...things could be better for me...but, times are indeed tough right now.
Keith
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Hi Everyone,

I must thank everyone who has donated so far. You have been so generous and we have accomplished a lot of emergency and practical intervention designed to put a great and hard working young professional back on track.

Most of you have recieived acknowedgement. I have to check that I thank everyone in person. I am behind on the last 4 or so.

In brief, here's what you have done and much more is still needed:

Paid the apartment rent for August and September with late dues for August. Also wiped out all debt ~ $1000 with the Edison Electric Company. Also we have supplied $1000 as down payment for a used Jeep Cherokee (2003 or 4 I believe) and Keith wont have to pay anything more until 2008 and then a modest $150 monthly payment for a total of about $3600 which is a miracle! With the transportation, Keith can now easily get to jobs and also transport his child to the hospital, assuming the transaction went through this holiday weekend!!) If not for you, he'd have already sold his remaining one camera, the Can on 30D and the 580 EX to pay for August rent! Now we are way past that and he is picking up old clients, who he had to pass by when at his child's bedside.

We now have about $130 in the kitty having already sent $5,140 which is impressive!

This is great work. We hope to be able to help further over the next several months and that depends on your continued generosity. Pat yourselves on the back!

So if you haven't donated or want to give more, we are ready to welcome your kindness!

Asher
 
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Keith Kiiroja

New member
It is a shame on me for not being able to be posting as part of the community that has helped me manage my time so much better, the truth is, i am all the more busy now. i have been getting job after job offer and i think we are on the way to becoming stable once again. there are still a few loose ends...

asher has been amazing thru and thru...please praise him for all of his hard work...all it will take is you telling a friend about the site and then have them spread the word.

by the way, i am still having some computer issues...i will be posting some stuff from past jobs and recreational stuff i have photographed. until then, please keep up your thoughts and prayers...they are obviously working.
 
nicolas claris

nicolas claris

OPF Co-founder/Administrator
Hi Keith!

be assured that we much prefer you to be too busy with good work!

I, in the name of all OPF members (I haven't ask, but am ready to bet that I take zero risk), wish you and your family an as nice as possible week-end.
 
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Kathy Rappaport

pro member
From California too

Yes, Nicolas you can speak for me!

Keith, We will keep you and your family in our thoughts.

And Asher, you do have a big heart but not too much praise - we don't want you to get a big head. (said with love and respect)
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Thanks guys for all the support! It's a huge step to deal with money on the forum and to touch people's hearts is a responsibility.

We now have paid two months rent, all the utility bills to date, medicines, $1500 down payment of a used Jeep Cherokee for transport to hospital and photography jobs and am going to send another wire today, as much as I can and a bit more to cover insurance and gas for jobs on Tuesday in New Jersey! He'll need to get a PC computer for Photoshop (motherboard and graphic card gone :( and at least one good lens!

The family is really uplifted and full of hope, so this is rewarding. All Sigma lenses had to go back so lenses will be rented as Canons were sold off previously with lenses to pay for rent in previous months!

I'm very optimistic, especially as the precious child is being allowed to go to real school and although she can't run around a lot had the assignment of throwing the ball! She is thrilled at being with other kids again!

I haven't as yet collected promised art for sale, but will do in dies course, as this requires setting it up properly to get the best prices. Nicolas has suggested an auction.

Kind wishes to everyone for thoughts, prayers and of course the generous gifts.

Asher

A plug: Meanwhile work hard at photography and try to add your work to each of the challenges. Search "challenge"!
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Thanks, Steve, with your kind addition we got to $325 in the current balance and I have wired the Keith $750 so that there will be enough for car insurance and gass for monday as well as a little left over. Hopefully, others will follow and donate over the weekend.

Not that we have any reserve yet, but we are approaching a great change and seeing some signs of fruition of the effort made.

Gradually, all the donations, like bricks on a wall, gorw to something impressive!

Asher
 
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