Adam Cook passed away at 11:55 p.m. on May 2, 2009. He died peacefully, surrounded by family at his home in Terre Haute, Indiana. He fought a long and brave battle with brain cancer. His unparalleled courage and strength have been a great inspiration to many and he will be sorely missed. I only met and spoke with Adam last year before and after the American Idol finale performances. In spite of being in pain, he welcomed me and my friends very warmly and displayed a razor-sharp wit. I'll never forget how happy Adam and his family were to see David Cook win American Idol. Adam was an extraordinary person with an extraordinary family. Adam's wife, Kendra, possesses incredible strength and courage, and I will always have a special place in my heart and a sincere admiration for her.
My deepest sympathies are with the Cook family at this time.
Adam's family are left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills, and I know how appreciative they would be of your generosity. If you would like to contribute to the Cook family in any amount, no matter how small, please go to www.paypal.com, click the Send Money tab, and use the email address cookfamilyfund@gmail.com. This email address is linked to the Paypal account which was used to collect money for Adam to get to the finale, and all funds are transferred to Old National Bank, the Cook family's bank in Terre Haute, IN. Vickie Wallace, the bank officer, transfers all funds to the Cook family's bank account. You can email Vickie at vickie.wallace@oldnational.com or call 812-462-7413 for confirmation. You can also send checks or money orders. Please make them payable to "Adam N. Cook Fund". The address is:
c/o Old National Bank
701 Wabash Avenue
Terre Haute, IN 47807
Attn: Vickie Wallace
I know that prayers for the family are pouring in from everywhere. If you would like to leave a message for the Cook family, please sign the guestbook at http://tinyurl.com/ctwxkq.
"What do you want to say to all the viewers and fans who are wondering about your brother Adam and the rest of your family? All I can really say about it is thank you. To see everybody show such a huge level of support for my family’s well-being is amazing. Moving forward, every little bit helps. Donations and giving of yourself: To people who have done it and will continue to do so, all I can say is thanks."
~ David Cook, http://www.kansascity.com/238/story/652543-p3.html,
June 6, 2008 (link no longer active).
Andrew Cook wearing the AC Guitar shirt
David Cook wearing the Adam Cook Grey Matters Bracelet
The AC Guitar t-shirt design was created by me and Ho, and was drawn by Ho (many thanks!). All proceeds will be donated directly to Adam Cook's family to help pay his medical bills. If you would like to buy one, the cost is $29.99 per shirt for U.S. buyers, which includes postage in the U.S. So far, a little over $400 has been donated from the shirt sales. Thanks to all who've bought a shirt.
If you would like to buy a t-shirt, please (1) go to http://www.paypal.com/, (2) click the "Send Money" tab, (3) use the email address cwood@nyc.rr.com, (4) in the Subject line type "AC Guitar Shirt", (5) type your size(s) and whether you want Ladies' or Men's (or Youth) sizes for each shirt in the "Message" box. Please make sure you have entered your correct shipping address. This is very important. I am anticipating delivery will be 3-4 weeks of the date of your order. Only a heavyweight cotton t-shirt style for Youth, Women's and Men's sizes are available (Youth S-XL, Women's sizes S-2XL, and Men's sizes S-2XL). Black is the only color available.
I am now offering these shirts for sale internationally. The cost per shirt will be $32.99 for Canada, and $34.99 for all other countries. This is a rough estimate of international postage charges, and any excess will be donated to the Cook family.
I've received permission from Julie Henricks, from radio station 102.7 in Terre Haute, Indiana, to sell the Adam Cook/Grey Matters bracelets using Paypal for people who'd like to buy a bracelet and show their support for Adam, and would like to pay online. Because the radio station can't accept credit cards or online orders directly, I am currently taking orders using my own Paypal account, and sending a check to the radio station. When I receive the bracelets, I will send your bracelet(s) to you.If you are in the U.S., the cost is now $9.00 for each bracelet, which includes delivery confirmation and shipping costs. I am no longer insuring the bracelets because I can't track whether they were delivered online. If you are outside the U.S., the cost is also $9.00, which covers postage anywhere in the world. I can't track or insure any international orders. To order an Adam Cook Grey Matters bracelet, please (1) go to http://www.paypal.com/, (2) click the "Send Money" tab, (3) use the email address cwood@nyc.rr.com, (4) type "Adam Cook Bracelet". Make sure to enter your correct shipping address. This is very important. I've received several orders without addresses, and slows the process down further for everyone.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery for bracelets. I'll do my best to make it as short a wait as possible, but as the number of bracelets ordered is in decline, fewer orders will be placed. There are three mailing cycles involved before yours will arrive. I order them from the radio station and they often run out, and sometimes must wait a few weeks for their next shipment before sending more. Since I am paying the cost of the bracelet plus the entire contribution that goes to Adam with each bracelet in each order, I am unable to order many extra bracelets I don't have already advance orders for. I send out orders for as many bracelets as I can as soon as I receive them, so please rest assured, if your bracelet hasn't come in the mail yet, it will come. I am not underestimating the time for delivery. I appreciate everyone's patience, and I wish I could make the process move faster, but it's impossible.
I welcome any and all ideas on how we may continue our support for Adam Cook's family and I'm open to posting any links or photos for anything that will benefit them here. Please email me with any questions or suggestions at cwood@nyc.rr.com.
I want to extend my most sincere thanks to everyone who has supported Adam Cook and his family. David Cook's fans are the kindest and most generous people, and I'm proud to be a part of such a special and caring community.
Sincerely,
Cathy Wood
New York, NY
May 3, 2009
Disclaimer: This is strictly a fan driven effort (with the consent of b102.7 in Terre Haute, for the bracelets only). Neither American Idol nor the Cook family are involved in or bear any responsibility for any part of this fund raising effort.
