Some of you may know Charles Richey. He is a wonderful person — one of the most giving-freely-of-his-time folks I know.
Charles is in a Las Vegas hospital in ICU after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare nervous system disorder that results from nerve damage caused by the body’s own immune system.
The good news is that the prognosis is good. The bad news is Charles and his wife Jacqui, being real estate agents, have no health insurance.
You can read the details here, where a donation link has been set up.
I know times are tight for a lot of folks, but really, every single dollar counts. If there is any way, please consider donating. But at least keep Charles and Jacqui in your thoughts and prayers.
For the record, the badge button above will send you to the fund raisers blog post. It contains no follow links. They are not trying to gain links from this, they are trying to help. You can grab the code for your site or blog here.
Spread the word. Pay it forward.
Jay is the Broker / Owner of Thompson's Realty in Phoenix, Arizona. A self-professed "Man with a blogging problem" he can be found across the Interweb, including at the Phoenix Real Estate Guy blog where he opines on all things real estate and tosses out random musings.

Barry Cunningham
June 24, 2008 at 5:50 pm
@ Jay..you wrote “For the record, the badge button above will send you to the fund raisers blog post. It contains no follow links. They are not trying to gain links from this, they are trying to help”………why??? are others who are trying to raise money for some other cause gaining links?
Eric Blackwell
June 24, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Barry–
With all due respect, we are trying to help a guy and his wife out here while he is facing some serious health issues. Jay was just pointing out that this was in NO WAY a scam.
Charles is a friend of mine and was part of our Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World SEO contest team. We already have several vendors helping the family out with what is expected to be a long recovery, but hopefully complete.
The members of TeamEric are collectively chipping in, each in our own way. I (for one) appreciate Jay’s help in getting the word out about a REALTOR dealing with a common problem that folks in our industry face…health insurance.
On a personal note any help you can offer will be appreciated greatly by me…
Best;
Eric
Jay Thompson
June 24, 2008 at 6:13 pm
@Barry It’s been known to happen…. if someone hosts images and buttons and encourages others to post them, and the links aren’t no followed, then yes, they gain links with every person that installs the button/image. It’s not as obvious as say offering a widget or two for others to post, but the effect is exactly the same.
I’m not saying that is why someone would host images or buttons for others. It’s quite possible they are doing it for the better good.
I put the nofollow statement in the post not to point anyone out. I thought it needed to be noted as I know some are leery of installing things like this, and the fact that in this case the links are no followed might prompt more to post it. Awareness is key in something like this. With every posting of the button or the news, the potential to get in front of someone in a position to donate is increased.
Barry Cunningham
June 24, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Thanks Jay
Robert D. Ashby
June 24, 2008 at 9:03 pm
I will keep them in my prayers and hope others are doing the same.
Ken Smith
June 24, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Just want to point out that any donation no matter how small will help. Charles currently can’t even hold a phone to his ear, forget working. His Wife naturally is at his side and not producing any income either. They need some help and every little bit will help. Some friends have stepped up big with donations as high as $500 and others that don’t even know Charles have chipped in $5-20 just because helping one of our own is a good cause.
Glenn fm Naples
June 25, 2008 at 10:26 am
Jay – thanks for doing the post on behalf of Charles. It is truly wonderful that so many people are jumping in to help a truly good person.
I have know Charles for several years and he is always willing to help someone out and is extremely active in an animal rescue organization in the Las Vegas area.
He really has a good heart and I am glad to see many people coming in and supporting him at this time.
Again Jay, thanks from Charles’ friends.
Lani Anglin-Rosales
June 25, 2008 at 11:32 am
The RE Blogging Community was there in my family’s time of need and I know that we’ll perform again this time. Jay, thank you for bringing this to everyone’s attention. Eric wrote a very nice article on BHB today, noting his friendship with Charles and considers your donation a personal favor.
Even $10 helps but we ask people to donate more- it will take a LOT to cover this medical bill, please consider skipping a dinner or two out this week and sending $100- we’ll all do the same if it ever comes to be YOUR time of need.
Ken Smith
June 25, 2008 at 11:39 am
Lani a friend of Charles’ and mine suggested that we could even find some stuff from around our homes that we don’t want or need and put it up on ebay. Thought it was a good idea as everyone has something sitting around that is just collecting dust.