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| A Journey for Max |
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Greetings!
My name is Constance "Connie" Karras and I am a self-employed ultramarathon runner, clinical exercise specialist and running coach at KARRAS WELLNESS TRAINING. I also served honorably in the United States Marine Corps as a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare Defense Specialist (MOS 5711). In addition to Victoria and everyone touched by CFIDS/CFS/ME, I am dedicating this race to military and civilian families torn apart - not only by this God-forsaken war - but by hatred and violence everywhere.
Last year I raised $1,340 on behalf of the American Diabetes Association in conjunction with the Badwater 135 Solo, a 135 mile trek that began in Badwater (Death Valley), California and ended over 8,400 feet up Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the 48 lower, contiguous US states. My race was dedicated to the strength of Sharon Hawkins of Wisconsin, who died last year at the tender age of fifty-four from cancer and diabetes. Both Sharon and her beloved husband and best friend, Terry, are Vietnam War veterans.
This year on August 3, 2008 I'm trekking again from Badwater to Mt. Whitney but will be raising funds for the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America and my goal is a mere $5,000.
Victoria "Max" Gordon, one of last year's crew members, was the only person who stayed with me from start to finish. She single-handedly organized the primary crewing vehicle, even going so far as to neatly package everything in clearly marked, transparent Zip-Loc bags for everyone's convenience. I don't know what I would have done without her or my other crew members. Max has had CFIDS and fibromyalgia about ten years and has suffered migraines most of her life, yet has never complained. She is the main reason I realized my dream of traversing the 135 mile trek and despite not being adequately briefed on what to expect out there, she lovingly, graciously and courageously rose to the occasion and ensured my finish. Without the much appreciated help of my other two crew members, Mike Melton and Juli Aistars, who gave of their hearts and souls, I wouldn't have made it, either. I can't thank them enough for bringing me to the point where Max took over to ensure my finish.
Max is a devoted mother to nine-year old Parker; a tireless voice for the disenfranchised; and a talented writer, editor, and graphic designer. Check out her website at:
http://write-and-left.com
I hope and pray for a cure so that Max and millions of others will someday find relief from their debilitating symptoms and this insidious stealer of health will be relegated to the archived volumes of cured diseases. CFIDS is a complicated disease complex that can have devastating effects yet is one of the least understood for which education is sorely needed.
Those stricken are often treated disrespectfully by the very ones who should be comforting and supporting them because they can be fully functioning one moment and then completely debilitated the next, leaving people to assume it's all an act for attention - or a psychiatric disorder. Such harsh treatment only makes symptoms worse and how can we then have hope for a cure if it's the collective strength and support of each other that is the essence of hope? I want to raise awareness that we not only need to be more compassionate with respect to those with this evasive disease complex, but with people in general. How many times have we risen to angry judgment without consideration of all the facts?
Let's love, not judge. Life's too short to do anything else.
Please know that even a dollar will make a difference. If everyone I know donated just one dollar, the donation would be a six digit figure!
The most important thing I want to say to each and every one of you is this: if you can't give money, then please donate your heart.
Smile each day. Laugh each day. Perform a random act of kindness. Instead of reacting with anger toward someone who has hurt you, return a smile or small act of kindness.
This will change the world.
Blessings,
Connie Karras
All donations tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. I receive no portion of donations to fund my race, as they go directly to CFIDS of America. In lieu of donating online, checks accepted, made payable to: "CFIDS Association of America" with "A Journey for Max" in memo line. Mail to: KARRAS WELLNESS TRAINING, 2027 Porte De L'eau Court, #102A, Highland, IN 46322. Direct inquiries to me at badwaterbound@sbcglobal.net or
(219) 306-9392. Thank you for your generosity.
To learn more about the Badwater Solo, go to John and Marcia Rasmussen's "Badwater Forum" - http://www.badwaterforum.org
To learn about other 100 mile fundraisers, go to Tom Jennings' "Run 100 For Charity" -
http://www.run100forcharity.info |
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Total Donations: $648
Goal: $5,000
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