Update from Jeanne

Hi all!

I thought it was about time I sent out an update to everyone. Things are moving along quite fast and we have all you generous folks who have donated to this worthy cause to thank for helping make this vision a reality. (I'm sorry but the pun just had to happen!) The "mystic eye" fund has almost reached it's goal already, and it's been only a little over a week. We have the enormous generosity of you caring folks to thank for that, and I'm not sure just how to adequately express our gratitude. We are as of today almost at our baseline goal for the fund to pay for his surgery. We have raised just under $2400 and we had set $2500 for the minimum to pay for the surgery, and extras like new glasses, medications, and unavoidable incidentals such as gas for those volunteers who have been driving him all over tarnation as every visit seems to be at a different location across town. (thanks, by the way to all our drivers..you know who you are and I LOVE YOU MAN!!!!) We haven't seen any of the bills yet, so we're hoping the estimates given to us by the nice lady at the surgeon's office are within range.

Mushtaq had his worst eye operated on this morning and he is already back home and in great spirits (which admittedly may be due to chemically induced giddiness) and all seems to be going as planned. He still has a cover taped over his eye for a few hours, so he doesn't know yet how much improvement in his vision has been accomplished. This was the eye that was entirely comped due to hardship criteria. His vision will be interesting for the next 2 weeks while his eyes are so out of balance with eachother. The next surgery is October 7th and this is the one which will incur the fees the fund was set up for. We are almost there folks! For those of you who have not yet been able to donate, rest assured that we still have time and that the funds will still be needed to assist with his convalescense as he recovers and the inevitable incidentals which tend to crop up for these things.

Once again thanks to all for their hard work and generosity. This will be a life changing gift you are giving a dear friend.

Jeanne Bijkerk-Pippin
jeanneb63@comcast.net

Help Out An Old Friend

(From Jeanne)
Greetings all,
As you may or may not be aware, Mushtaq is in dire need of lens replacement surgery on both eyes due to cataracts and glaucoma. He has been losing his sight for some years and is now legally blind in his right eye with vision greatly diminished in the left. Not being able to see has severely impacted his ability to work and gain income, and of course has affected his life in general.

A number of us have come together to try to raise money to get Mushtaq the lens replacement surgery he needs. Without insurance, each eye would cost about $11,000. Mushtaq does qualify for coverage on the right eye under hardship criteria, but because the left eye is not as severe, it is not covered.

In a fortunate turn of events, we have found a surgeon who has generously offered to perform the surgery on both eyes, forgoing his fees entirely. There are still some costs: the operating room, medical personnel, and medications, which all come to about $2,000. We would like to raise $2,500 or more to allow for Mushtaq's convalescence during his recovery time as well.

If we are able raise even more, we want to apply it to his other outstanding and long-neglected medical issues, which include kidney disease and dental work. We will of course account for all use of donated monies to our contributors.

With the help of his many good friends and students across the world, we believe we can do this! We invite you to be part of this effort.

The fund is called "Mushtaq's Mystic Eye Fund", and we hope you will consider a donation. We are asking for $50 or more, but any amount is welcome. Surgery dates are September 23 and October 7, so we'd appreciate receiving your check by October 1st.

Thank you for helping us raise money to restore the eyesight of our friend, teacher and mentor!


How to contribute:
Checks made out to:

Jeanne Bijkerk-Pippin
with "Mushtaq's Mystic Eye Fund Share #11" on the memo line.

Post to: Lake Michigan Credit Union
PO box 2848
Grand Rapids MI 49502-0591
Att: Mushtaq's Mystic Eye Fun
C/O Jeanne Bijkerk-Pippin Share acct. # 11


By popular request I have completed the set up for a PayPal account to accept donations for Mushtaq's eye surgery which will dump right into the Mystic Eye Fund. If this is a donation method which is more convenient for you please direct payments through PayPal to jeanneb63@comcast.net I appreciate everyone's input and inquiries. I will be sending weekly updates in regards to fund status and Mushtaq's progress.

Thanks to all for their interest, and assistance! It is so exciting to finally have this happen for him.

Jeanne Bijkerk-Pippin
616-364-0019