Crowdfunding Campaign Has Lasting Impact for Kids With Birthmarks
You can download an audio podcast here or subscribe via iTunes.
One of the most inspiring stories in my book Crowdfunding for Social Good features Martha Griffin’s campaign to raise money to publish Sam’s Birthmark, a book about a boy born with a birthmark on his face. The book has impacted countless lives since, including her own son Barron, helping kids born with port wine stain birthmarks like Barron’s to feel special.
For the book, Martha explained that she learned four key lessons from her Kickstarter campaign where she successfully raised $31,763.
Would the birthmark community embrace or see a need for the book?
Would the message appeal to our network and outside the birthmark community?
Could we “market” the book through a viral campaign like Kickstarter?
What would be the response to our story?
Today, I caught up with Martha to learn more about her ongoing effort to build a movement that protects kids against bullying and builds their self-confidence.
Sam’s Birthmark
Martha says, “A child’s individuality, whether it’s marked by curly hair, freckles or even a birthmark; it’s what makes them special. Sam’s Birthmark is about raising vascular birthmark awareness as well embracing our own and each other’s differences.”
Martha hoped the book would not only help her son, but that it would provide her with a platform for educating others. “We wrote Sam’s Birthmark to build confidence in our son. Also the general public are not aware of the health issues from Vascular Birthmarks. The book has helped us connect with other Birthmark parents throughout the world and be a part of the vast birthmark community.”
Martha still worries about bullying. “Children can be cruel about physical differences. As parents we face the challenge of raising a confident child.”
She worries, too, that Barron’s birthmark could get larger and that growths might develop. Barron has had nine laser surgeries to prevent this. The book remains profoundly relevant in his life.
Martha acknowledges that it will be difficult to stop bullying altogether. “We live a society that focuses on beauty and I don’t see that changing. It’s your face all the time now with social media. Bullying is a huge problem. By parents starting the conversation at an early age about physical differences we can over time stop bullying.”
She remains optimistic, however, and sees her book as a powerful tool for good in the lives of affected children and families. She wants to share the book as widely as possible. “The more people that share and read Sam’s Birthmark, the more good we can do. Through our website we have the ‘Buy-the-Book/Get-a- Book’ campaign. For every book purchased, we give you an extra book to donate to a school, doctor office, church or library.”
Grant, Martha and Barron Griffin, courtesy of Sam’s Birthmark
On Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 1:00 Eastern, Martha will join me here for a live discussion about how Sam’s Birthmark has influenced the life of her son Barron and others like him around the world. Tune in here then to watch the interview live. Post questions in the comments below or tweet questions before the interview to @devindthorpe.
More about Sam’s Birthmark:
Twitter: @samsbirthmark
Sam’s Birthmark is a children’s book about teaching kids to appreciate the differences in others and themselves.
Martha’s bio:
Martha and Grant found their inspiration for Sam’s Birthmark after their son Barron was born with a Port Wine Stain birthmark covering the right side of his face. After researching Vascular Birthmarks and connecting with other birthmark parents, they saw a need for a children’s book with a main character who has a birthmark. Their goal for Sam’s Birthmark is to teach children to embrace their own and each other’s differences starting at an early age.
Never miss another interview! Join Devin here!
Devin is a journalist, author and corporate social responsibility speaker who calls himself a champion of social good. With a goal to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems by 2045, he focuses on telling the stories of those who are leading the way! Learn more at DevinThorpe.com!
The post Crowdfunding Campaign Has Lasting Impact for Kids With Birthmarks appeared first on GoodCrowd.info.