Match It for Pratchett
http://www.matchitforpratchett.org
By Carol Pinchefsky
Terry Pratchett, beloved author of the Discworld series and one of England's best-selling authors, has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Not wanting to go down without a fight, Pratchett has donated $1 million (£500,000) for research into this debilitating and ultimately fatal disease. To aid him in his efforts, author Pat Cadigan has created a blog called Match It for Pratchett (MI4P) to raise matching funds for the U.K.-based Alzheimer's Research Trust (ART).  MI4P wants you to contribute a mere $1, the cost of the froth on a cappuccino, for this worthy cause. In return, it offers news on their progress, links to current research and shout-outs of gratitude for contributors such as the Australian national SF convention and prominent bloggers like author Neil Gaiman.
For $35 or less, you can buy a T-shirt via CafePress, $10 of which goes to the ART. The T-shirt bears a reference to the Discworld universe—a turtle holds up elephants that shoulder the world. Unfortunately, it took me a few moments to work out the turtle. Also, the site could make it easier for you to part with your money: Links to George R.R. Martin's site revealed an eBay auction of signed books, with all proceeds going to the campaign, but this new blog would benefit from other auctions, more prominently displayed on the main site.
In my eagerness to contribute, I gave directly to ART—foolishly, really, because as an American I don't get the tax deduction for this United Kingdom charity. However, under the "Important Stuff" section, look for the "Guide to Giving." This directs more prudent American surfers to the happily tax-deductible Alzheimer's Association (as well as charities in Australia, Ireland and France).
Remember, MI4P is not an official charity, just a campaign. But it's a campaign with the best intentions. The sooner Pratchett gets cured, the sooner the world will have more Discworld books. |
