Life after 4/15

Cherry blossoms & flag at half-mast, Conway Park, Somerville

I've been mulling over a longer post for the past two weeks, but in the meantime, I thought I'd provide some links to articles and promote a few funds.

• Free counseling offered at various sites throughout city - Please note this article was written on 4/23 so some of the info may be out-of-date.
• Japanese speakers needing someone to talk to may want to contact JB Line. They've been tweeting about help available to the Japanese community.
• List of local Japanese Mental Health Professionals
• Sleep problems plaguing many in Boston after marathon bombing - If you're having trouble sleeping, you're not alone. If it continues, you might want to seek professional help.
• How Social Media After the Boston Bombing Can Be a Recipe for PTSD - If you've been spending a lot of time on social media or been glued to the TV, consider taking a break.
• Blood donations rise after tragedy - Please consider donating blood. There's always a need. List of donor centers, list of Red Cross donor centers, Red Cross blood drive finder.

Nearly 300 people were injured or lost their lives a few weeks ago. Even though Massachusetts residents are required to have health insurance, not all do (some choose to pay the tax penalty instead) and not all the victims were MA residents. Experts are saying that medical costs could be over $9m.  I'm unclear if that includes things like retrofitting homes for those who are disabled. Even if you have insurance, it may only cover a basic model artificial limb, which might not be sophisticated enough for your activities. One of the funds I gave to wrote up a list of the costs that they're faced with.

"Secondly, we have received many requests about where this money is going and if $100,000 is really necessary for a family with health insurance. Please be assured that 100% of the money raised is going directly to the Whalley family (note their son, Rich Whalley, is the beneficiary). Regarding the amount, the reality is that there are a huge number of financial burdens that come from a situation like this, beyond immediate expenses. Both Eric and Ann have already received and still need a number of highly specialized surgeries and treatments which may not be covered by insurance or have very high deductibles. The physical therapy, home care, extended hospital stays, post-trauma psychiatric counseling, and medical device assistance that they will need as a result of this incident will likely last for several years to come. From the people we've spoken with in the medical community and others who have been subjected to similar tragedies, $100K is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to long term medical expenses. So the short answer is that while insurance might cover some of it, the family is absolutely going to need long term financial support." 

- Ann + Eric Whalley Recovery Fund, April 18 Update II

Many funds have popped up to raise money. Sadly, tragedies also bring out scammers. If you don't have a direct connection to a fund, try to research where your money is going and when in doubt, only give to funds that are clearly official or that are associated with an established non-profit. 

The One Fund - Boston's official fund for marathon bombing victims. Tax deductible

Help Marc Fucarile - Fund for someone I know. Private donation; not tax deductible.

If you prefer to make donations by cash or check, please make checks payable to: The Marc Fucarile Fund and mail to or drop off at:
   The Marc Fucarile Fund
   c/o Stoneham ME Federal Credit Union
   40 Pine Street
   Stoneham, MA 02180
Read about Marc and his friends: Five childhood friends from Stoneham drawn closer by their Marathon wounds. The Globe headline doesn't mention that there were 7 of them - they didn't include Paul's girlfriend, Jacqui, in the count and didn't mention Steve at all.

Ann + Eric Whalley Recovery Fund - Fund for injured parents of an MIT alum. Private donation; not tax deductible.

Mikey's Run - High school students who are future MIT students (Class of 2017) raising money to "help provide assistance and prosthesis to those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings. Funds will go into the The Scott Rigsby Foundation, set aside specifically for this purpose." I just found their story really touching. Tax deductible.

MIT's 1994 police car hack festooned with origami cranes and origami and tissue paper flowers
in memory of Officer Sean Collier

MIT Sean A. Collier Memorial Fund - Tax deductible.

"Gifts to this fund will be used to establish a Collier Medal—to be awarded to individuals who demonstrate the values and character of Officer Collier—as well as other causes." 

   Per this page, if you prefer to donate by check, they can be mailed MIT at:
   Bonny Kellermann ‘72, Director of Memorial Gifts
   600 Memorial Drive, W98-500
   Cambridge, MA 02139
   Please include a note stating that your gift is in memory of Sean Collier.

Watch Sean's moving memorial service at MIT. Thousands of law enforcement officers from around the U.S. and Canada attended along with the MIT community.

Dana-Farber and Jimmy Fund Sean Collier Memorial Fund - Tax deductible

"The Dana-Farber and Jimmy Fund community is deeply saddened by the tragic events in Boston, and the loss of MIT Patrol Officer, Sean Collier. Sean displayed immense courage and a commitment to helping others, and we thank you for honoring his memory.

Inspired by the lifesaving work of Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund, Sean was a dedicated supporter of the Jimmy Fund since high school, setting up recurring gifts from his bank account." 

BU Lu Lingzi Scholarship Fund - Tax deductible.

"Lingzi was a beloved member of the BU community. An optimist with a powerful work ethic, she had just passed the first part of the master's comprehensive exam in statistics—an accomplishment that gave her great satisfaction. Along with her friends and family, we grieve at her passing. 

Boston University is determined to keep Lingzi's memory and example alive. Toward that end, and in conformance with the wishes of her family, the Trustees of the University have voted to establish the LU Lingzi Scholarship Fund." 

Read more about the fund. Read about and watch Lingzi's memorial service.