It’s time.

The internet is magic.

A few months ago, the incredible Stacey ~ a beloved reader ~ got in touch with me about Kate and Mark Storm, close friends of hers whose sweet baby Getty had been diagnosed with SMA1; the number one genetic killer of infants under the age of two. Getty is only a few months younger than Dee, and as I read Stacey’s email I was reeling.  How unfair.  The devastation of such a diagnosis felt almost tangible to me.

In the weeks that followed, I couldn’t stop thinking about about Getty, Kate and Mark. When I discovered that Stacey was [completely coincidentally] a fan of The Damnwells, a band whose members include two of my best friends Alex and Angela Dezen, sparks started flying, and soon, Sweet Water Child: Lullabies for Getty was born.

Sweet Water Child is a beautiful album of lullabies my dear friends wrote and performed, the proceeds of which will go entirely to The Getty Owl Foundation, a newly established non-profit which Kate and Mark set up in their daughter’s honor.

Last week, Getty Storm turned ONE. A huge and exciting milestone proving she can fight like every bit the femme fatale her name suggests. We wanted to give her this very special album of Lullabies both to commemorate the occasion, and help her brave and determined parents work to ensure that other families won’t be faced with that dark and devastating diagnosis. And a cure is so close.

So please, listen. Fall in love with the music, and the girl who inspired it.  And if you’re able, buy a copy of Sweet Water Child: Lullabies for Getty, and your purchase goes straight to The Getty Owl Foundation.   If you’re not able to purchase the album today, consider telling a friend about SMA1 and the havoc it wreaks. Like the album on Facebook and ask that your friends do the same. Follow @lulbiesforgetty on twitter, send a tweet, rate the album on iTunes, and encourage people to check out www.lullabiesforgetty.com.

Please, spread the word about Getty and those fighting alongside her, and help us knock out SMA1 for good.   And also listen to the album, because it’s really good. I can’t believe this day is finally here. I’m so excited for you guys to get to hear these songs.

Oh, and one last thing.   Angela Dezen is a champion.   She made this thing happen, and she wouldn’t stop until she got it right.   For Getty.   So did the incredible team of people at The Honey Agency, who put up with all kinds of insanity from Ang and I in these past few weeks…all for the love of Getty. And of course Stacey, Kate, and Mark ~ there aren’t any words for how incredible I think the three of you are.

Getty, you inspire me every day, kid. Happy birthday sweet girl.

Now let’s do this thing, shall we?