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The Compassionate Friends

New South Wales Inc.

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Welcome to the latest E_Newsletter from TCF USA

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The Compassionate Friends E-Newsletter March 2009

This issue of The Compassionate Friends e-newsletter focuses on the upcoming TCF National Conference August 7-9 in Portland Oregon. This event is eagerly awaited every year by TCF members around the country and many even make the trip from other countries. We hope you will consider attending for a weekend of friendship, caring, and sharing. But even if you cannot be present, we do not want you to feel forgotten. You can have your child's name carried in the Walk to Remember, an annual event held the final day of the conference that is anticipated by participants who understand how much this event means. We also invite you to create a website in honor of the child(ren) you are remembering and help TCF in the process through the Friends Asking Friends Walk to Remember fundraiser.  The theme of the National Conference this year is "Mountains of Compassion - Roses of Love." This goes well with what we also say as members of The Compassionate Friends, "We Need Not Walk Alone." Online Registration Now Available for TCF 32nd National Conference in Portland Oregon!    In addition, you can download the full registration brochure that gives you information on workshops, banquets, sponsor opportunities and so much more. See the entire conference schedule.   Keynote  speakers include: Candy Lightner, the dynamic founder of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) now 3 million members strong and continuing to grow; the ever-popular Darcie Sims, who uses her own unique brand of humor as a special type of grief therapy; Reg and Maggie Green whose son Nicholas' death at the hands of highway bandits in Italy jump started organ donations in that country and around the world saving thousands of lives; Michele Longo Eder, author of Salt in our Blood-The memoir of a Fisherman's Wife based on a journal she wrote that detailed an account of personal tragedy tha struck just before Christmas 2001.    Because 25-30 percent of all who attend the National Conference are first time attendees, we've put together a brochure that will help you have a positive and healing conference experience. There will also be a first timers orientation early the first day of the conference. [First Timer Brochure]   For more information on the conference and all the activities, please visit TCF 2009 National Conference. The conference will be held at the Doubletree-Lloyd Center Hotel and special conference rates apply. Those who wish to stay at the host hotel are urged to reserve their rooms now as the large room block reserved for the conference has been filling rapidly.   [Learn More] Create a Walk to Remember "Friends Asking Friends" Website and Support  The Compassionate Friends   Whether or not you participate in the Walk to Remember, you have an opportunity this year to once again help The Compassionate Friends fund its programs through the Friends Asking Friends program. This will be the fourth year for participation and every year more and more money is raised to support the organization and its outreach efforts. It's very simple to participate. First, visit the Walk to Remember website at www.tcfwalktoremember.org. At the site, you can choose your level of involvement-you can create an individual, team, or chapter group, support one of our already established teams, or make a general donation to the Walk to Remember in memory of a special child. Many local TCF chapters are participating in this fundraiser. All funds raised by chapters stay in the local chapter except for 15% which covers administration costs of the program. Have A Special Child's Name Carried by Volunteers in the Walk to Remember!     We know that many people reading this will not be able to attend the conference and participate in the Walk to Remember. But this does not mean that your child cannot be remembered during this event. Last year the names of more than 10,000 special children being remembered by our friends across the country were carried by volunteers during the Walk. This is a special act of love freely given by those participating in the Walk. If you have a child whose name you'd like carried during the Walk, there is no charge (although donations are appreciated). To submit a child's name, fill out a form on the "Submit a Child's Name" page.  "Frame of Love"   Last year's national conference "Sponsor a Record" program with pictures of our children from across the country (placed in many areas of the hotel) was a great opportunity to have our children remembered while helping fund the many costs of holding the national conference. Hundreds of records were ordered. This year we have the equally memorable "Frame of Love" program ($10 plus shipping and handling for the frame to be returned to you if you are not at the conference). You can download the "Frame of Love" order form and template here! Quote of the Month   You don't heal from the loss of a loved one because time passes; You heal because of what you do with the time. ~Carol Crandall     The Best of We Need Not Walk Alone- Every month, TCF's e-newsletter features a selected story from an early issue of TCF's national award winning publication We Need Not Walk Alone. We also include a past column from the popular WNNWA "Ask Dr. Paulson," which answers questions related to sibling grief and its effect on the family.     WHO WAS THAT PERSON?                            An eight year retrospective...                              By Rich Edler     Who was that person? He looked like me. He talked like me. But I don't think I know him anymore.   Who was that person? He had so many friends. He was popular at cocktail parties and told good jokes. Today, he seeks out one person he can really talk to and that is enough. His telephone Rolodex is a lot smaller, but so much more important.   Who was that person? He had such different priorities. . .   [Read More]     (The Best of) Ask Dr. Paulson    Mary A. Paulson, PhD, is a bereaved sibling as well as a child and adolescent psychologist at Harding Hospital in Worthington, Ohio. Her question and answer column, aimed at bereaved siblings and the family that loves them, appears in the quarterly TCF national magazine, We Need Not Walk Alone.      Q.  I am 35 years old and my only brother passed away this past May at age 27. It was a sudden death-he wasn't physically sick-he was found by my mom in his room on the floor. I haven't had any bereavement counseling for the loss of my brother, but I have been reading lots of books. I have lost others close to me-grandparents, friends-but the loss of my brother has just crushed my whole world. I have good days when I can talk about him without breaking down, but on other days I think of him and can't control my tears. The loss of my brother was very devastating to all of us, my parents as well as me. Since I'm the oldest and now the only child, I feel it is my duty to take care of my parents, and if I don't, then I'm a bad daughter. However, I've been scolded . . .   [Read More] Online Support Community is More than Just a Chat!    Many people when referring to TCF's Online Support Community (OSC) call it a chat. The fact is, it's much more than that. It is a support group on the web. It's great for having others to talk with between your chapter's monthly meetings. Or if you live in an area where no chapter currently meets, you still have the opportunity to talk with others who understand much of what you have gone through. Trained moderators facilitate each room just as facilitators help at chapter meetings.   There are OSC rooms for: Parents/Grandparents; Siblings; Pregnancy/Infant loss; Bereaved Two Years and Under; Bereaved Two Years and Over; Men Only; No Surviving Children; and Survivors of Suicide. Some are repeated with general parent/grandparent sessions every evening but Tuesday.   [Learn More] Thank you for allowing us to share the latest TCF news and events with you. Feel free to forward this email using the convenient forward below.   Sincerely,     E-Newsletter The Compassionate Friends

TCF Video: After a Child Dies   The Compassionate Friends now has a web version of a new video After a Child Dies. We beieve After a Child Dies will offer insight and understanding and hope to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents, and to those who care about them. After a Child Dies is now available to view online.  [Learn More]   Worldwide Candle Lighting It's never too early to start thinking about planning a Worldwide Candle Lighting the second Sunday in December. To learn more about what this day means and to help you plan a service in your area, visit the Worldwide Candle Lighting page.   [Learn More] Regional Conferences    Register Now:     Salina, KS Regional Conference April 24-26, 2009   Save the Date! August 7-9, 2009 The 32nd National Conference will be held in Portland, OR You can reserve your room online now for this tremendous opportunity to learn firsthand about friends caring and sharing!   Healing the Grieving Heart Healing the Grieving Heart web radio show features experts who discuss the many aspects of grief, with a main focus on the death of a child and its effects on the family. Learn more and see a schedule of upcoming shows. Chapter Leadership Training Program set for May The  first program of the year will be held May 1-3, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Airport Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information on this program, visit the Leadership site. Shop iGive  Register at iGive.com designating TCF as your charity of choice and your online purchases will assist TCF's programs & services! [Learn More]

 

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