Specimens of the Craig Shergold Chain Letter
Variations on a Meme
The irony of the Craig Shergold urban legend is that it truly is the story of a wish come true in real life. The original chain letter campaign to win the cancer-stricken boy a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records succeeded beyond anyone's dreams, ultimately making possible the surgery that saved his life.
Unlike storybooks, however, the real world doesn't offer happy endings, only happy consequences. Lives go on, and so do chain letters -- and on, and on. Craig Shergold was cured of brain cancer in the early 1990s, yet no matter how often or how vehemently this fact is trumpeted in the press, neither the chain letter nor the 300,000 cards per week that Craig still receives as a result of its popularity show any signs of abating.
This page features a collection of real specimens of the Shergold letter collected on the Internet during the late 1990s -- which means, among other things, that they are many, many generations removed from the earliest versions of the message. Each text is different from all the others in some small or large respect. Permutations include: misspellings of Craig Shergold's name, specification of the type of cards to be sent (get well, business, birthday, etc.), the mailing deadline, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation's mailing address. In all, it is a revealing study in a peculiarly modern form of folklore, the charitable chain letter.
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I am writing this article to request something for a terminaly ill boy. Craig Shergold is a seven year old boy who has terminal cancer. His ambition before he dies is to be included in the Guinness Book of Records as having the largest collection of business cards. My request is that EVERYONE who reads this posting send at least one business card to him at: Craig Shergold Let's make a child's dream come true before its too late. Best wishes. A hopeful person. |
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Let's help a young boy smile. Greg Sherold is a seventeen year old with terminal cancer. His greatest wish is to enter the Guinness Book of Records as the person who individually collected the largest number of business cards. To give continuity to this action ( only one card per person is allowed at the address underneath), please pass this request on to as many people as you can. If you do intend to send your card, Please send a reply Re: Let's help... just saying you did so that maybe the amount of responses will motivate people to send their card. Greg Sherold Unfortunately, time is essential, so please send this request as well as your card as soon as possible. |
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September 24, 1996 We have been asked by Bill McGowan & Co., Munford TN to participate in a request that a business card be sent to Craig Sheford at the address listed below. They have participated, we have participated, and we pass this request on to you. Seven year old Craig Sheford has a brain tumor and has little time to live. Craig has turned in a wish to the "Children's Make-A-Wish" Foundation and expressed his desire to have an entry in the World Book Records for the largest collection of business cards received by an individual. Please take the time to forward this Email to other businesses of your choice and make his wish come true. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE !!! Send cards to: % Children's Make-A-Wish Foundation |
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Just talked to Judi and I told her since I was at the computer, I'd pass this on. ANyone who wants to help a 7 yr old boy fulfill his dream, can do so by sending a Birthday card to: Craig Shergold Cards must be received by 8-17. His wish is to be in Ripley's for having received the most birthday cards. Seems like we could all help him accomplish this. Thanks! |
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Kids Last WISH please help! Hello! Craig Shirgold is a 7 year old boy who lives in Keen, N.H. He is dying from an inoperable brain tumor. He made a wish to children's foundation, that he wants one million get well cards sent to him by August 15 so that he can be in the World Book of Records before he dies. Cards can be made or bought. Please send the cards to the following address: Craig Shirgold PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO TEN OTHER PEOPLE! COME ON AND HELP THIS BOY! |
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Dear Professionals, Craig Shelford, a 7-year-old with a brain tumor and very little time to live, has turned in his wish to the Children's Make-a-Wish Foundation. He has expressed his desire to have an entry in the World Book of Records for the largest collection of business cards received by an individual. We have been asked by the professionals of Midland Orthopedic Clinic in St. Joseph to send business cards to Craig at the address below. They have participated, and we would like to pass the request to you. Send cards to: Craig Shelford C/O Children's Make-A-Wish Foundation 3200 Perimeter Center East Atlanta, GA 30346 Please take the time to re-type this letter on your letterhead and send it to 20 businesses of your choice, making this "wish come true." To Craig, time is (of course), of the essence. Thank you for you time and effort. |
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I received teh follwing request from Supervisor Dave Jasenski and would appreciate your support. Greg Sherwood is a 17 year old boy suffering from terminal cancer. His greatest wish is to enter the Guinness Book of records as teh person who has received the greatest number of business cards. He is allowed to take one card from each company. I would appreciate it if you would send this letter to ten of your business associates, together with the attached pages, plus a copy of the organizations you have contacted. Most important, if it is not possible to send out ten letters, please take a few minutes and send Greg one of your cards to the following address: Mr. Greg Sherwood Thank you for your time. -Jim McGuigan, Milwaukee County Supervisor, 6th District |
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This is NOT an ad to sell anything - please read - I got a letter in the mail today from "Century 21" that is quoted as follows: "We have been asked by Coldwell Banker Tipton Group, Realtors of Atoka, TN, to participate in a request that a business card be sent to Craig Sheford at the address below. Along with Coldwell Banker, Realtors we are participating and we would like for you to join us in granting Craig's wish. Seven year old Craig has a brain tumor and has little time to live. Craig has turned in a wish to the Children's Make-A-Wish Foundation expressing his desire to have an entry in the Guiness Book of World Records for the largest collection of business cards received by an individual. Please take time to retype this letter on your company letterhead and send it to twenty businesses of your choice and help Craig's wish come true." Please send your business cards to Craig at the following address: Craig Sheford |
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Craig Sherford is 7 years old. He has a brain Tumor and has little time to live. Craig contacted the Children's Make A Wish Foundation and expressed his desire to have an entry in the Guineas Book of World Records for the largest collection of business cards by an individual. please help Craig's wish come true by sending your business card to: Craig Sherford Thanks for making a wish come true..... |
Related article:
A User's Guide to Craig Shergold
