Scleroderma Striders - Erica Heskamp's Fundraising Page

Erica Heskamp's Fundraising Page

Page Creator: Erica Heskamp

Event: Nike Women's Marathon

Event Starts: Oct 18, 2009

You have to finish what you start!

About my nonprofit:

Scleroderma Striders

Our Three-Fold Mission of Support, Education, and Research Support: To help patients and their families cope with scleroderma through mutual support programs, peer counseling, physician referrals, and...

So far I have raised:

$7,400.00

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My personal message:

Hello Friends and Family,

You may be surprised when I tell you I'm planning to run another marathon. On October 18th my friend Mary Jo and I will be running the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco, my first marathon since being diagnosed with Scleroderma in 2006. When Mary Jo and I entered our names in the lottery, I told her that if we got in, I would raise money for the Scleroderma Foundation. We got in and I am knee deep in training once again. I am sending you this letter because I would like to fulfill my pledge to support the Scleroderma Foundation and am asking for your help.

Back in September of 2006, I was having severe difficulty with the circulation in my fingers. Local doctors had no idea what was wrong. After lots of tests, I was fortunate to be referred to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where Dr. Thomas Medsger, a rheumatologist whose specialty is Scleroderma, finally diagnosed me. For the past 2½ years I have been going to Pittsburgh every 6 months to see Dr. Medsger so that he can monitor my progress and my medicines.

Many of you may not know what Scleroderma is. I certainly didn’t know until I was told I had it. Scleroderma is a relatively uncommon autoimmune disease that affects only about 300,000 people in the United States. It currently has no cure. This chronic disease causes skin to thicken, tighten, and build up scar tissue. It can also damage internal body organs. Luckily, my only manifestation is secondary Raynaud’s, which causes my fingers to turn purple due to poor circulation. Now you know why you see my with mittens all the time! I take 18 pills daily to help prevent my fingers from getting digital ulcers, which are very painful. That happened to me before I got medicine that was effective. In addition to all of the medication, I regularly need medical tests to monitor and prevent an attack on my organs. The drugs I take and some of the treatments I have had are quite unusual. Have some free time? Ask me about spending afternoons in a hyperbaric chamber.

So, why do I want to run a marathon with this illness?

1) For my health - One of the things my local doctor told me is exercise is one of the best things for me. What better way to exercise than to train for a marathon?

2) Its a mental thing - To show the disease it will not win; I can overcome it.

3) To help the Scleroderma Foundation raise money to find a cure - The research by doctors funded by the Foundation has produced the discovery of many of the drugs I take. Without the Foundation’s help, I would not be doing as well as I am.

The Scleroderma Foundation is a non-profit organization with a three-fold mission: support, education, and research. I have received the benefits of their work, and I want to help raise money to further their cause. I have not set a goal in fund raising (nor a marathon time goal) because of the tough economy and these difficult financial times. However, I would greatly appreciate whatever you feel you can donate to the effort to find a cure for this disease that can be so debilitating.

Thank you in advance for your support,

Erica

Online Sponsors to date:

Display Name	Date	Amount	Comment
Jamie	10/16/2009	$25.00	Awesome!
Scott & Karen Kramer	10/11/2009	$100.00	Go Erica!
Evi and Jack Shumsky	10/10/2009	$100.00	You've had so many accomplishments over the years. Just keep going! Love, Aunt Evi and Uncle Jack
Shawn	10/9/2009	$25.00	You are a Star!!! Hope the training has been fun. Good luck in the marathon. Best Wishes
Julio Grapa	10/6/2009	$100.00	run like the wind!!!
Dan & Anne Gentile	10/5/2009	$25.00	If you need inspiration during the marathon, remember Puerto Rico! :-)
Jon, Erin, Drew and Nathan Stockert	10/4/2009	$75.00	I know you'll have a great race and good time in San Fransico.
Sharon Haynes	9/29/2009	$25.00
Mary Jo and Joe	9/28/2009	$100.00	I had to see if we could finish our last long run before pledging! Great job!!
Robin, Peter and Hannah	9/21/2009	$100.00	"Go Auntie, go Auntie!"
Rob, Judy, Ben and Lyra	9/16/2009	$200.00	We admire you so much - good luck!
Mom and Don	9/15/2009	$328.00	From your greatest fans whom you never cease to amaze. Here's to an even $6,500 total. Love always.
Leesa	9/15/2009	$50.00	Thank you for including me in the opportunity to contribute! I continue to be amazed by u! Love u!
Sylvia and Max Rosenbach	9/10/2009	$100.00	Great going!
Alyson Fendel and Richard Breier	9/10/2009	$100.00	Erica -- You are an inspiration to us all! Love, Your cousin Alyson
Murray and Hester	9/8/2009	$200.00	The more we learn about you, the more we love you. May the wind always be at your back.
Nina, Mike, Tatiana and Tess Whitman	9/5/2009	$2,602.00	You are an inspiration, Erica! xoxoxo
Stephanie and Kris Shepherd	8/31/2009	$100.00	You ROCK! All our love...Steph and Kris
Bob Dees	8/31/2009	$100.00	Keep on running!! can't wait to see the San Fran pictures!
Denise Casteel	8/31/2009	$100.00	Thank you for allowing me to support you in this!
Greg	8/31/2009	$50.00	Will be cheering for you!
Anonymous	8/31/2009	$75.00	xxoo
Margaret & Jeff Mudrick	8/30/2009	$100.00	Good luck! Hope it's all downhill from here!
Paula and Mark Hornbaker	8/30/2009	$100.00	We'll be cheering for you!
Margaret, Chris, Mason, Eli, and Cecilia	8/30/2009	$250.00	Enjoy the fun! Looking forward to pics from the route!
Marie (Mo)	8/28/2009	$50.00	Run like the wind:) Awesome cause, spirit and location:)!!
Erica Heskamp	8/26/2009	$100.00	I had to get myself over the $2000 mark!
Snue	8/26/2009	$100.00	Is Boston next?!?! We still have our sign ready!
Kim Kehoe	8/25/2009	$100.00	You are amazing, my friend. Good luck!
Bryan and Laura Reckamp	8/24/2009	$100.00	Wow! We're cheering for you! Congratulations.
Joe and Mary Ann Kunkel	8/22/2009	$100.00	Hooray for your winning spirit.
The Meilinger's	8/21/2009	$50.00	You continue to amaze us! Go Erica!
Elizabeth Verderber	8/16/2009	$40.00	Go Erica!
Anonymous	8/13/2009	$5.00	Best wishes!!!
Dennis and Courtney Wimmert	8/10/2009	$100.00	You are awesome and inspiring!
Mark Weller	8/10/2009	$100.00	Amazing! I am very excited for you! An inspiring goal!
Lynanne	8/10/2009	$200.00	You go girl! I can't run 26 miles perfectly healthy!
Margaret, Damian and Family	8/7/2009	$50.00	We are so glad you can do this!!! Take care of the ankle.
Jody Lowe	8/7/2009	$75.00	You're amazing!
Dave Johnson	8/6/2009	$100.00	Run fast so we can go to wine country!
Charissa and Alan	8/5/2009	$100.00	Have a great time on yet another Marathon!!
Becky Aicholtz	8/5/2009	$100.00	I am proud of you!
McCright family	8/5/2009	$100.00	good luck
Amy Rappeport	8/5/2009	$50.00	You're awesome!
Lacey and Logan Ante	8/5/2009	$100.00	We love Aunt Erica!!! Bring home chocolate ;)
Caroline Newcomb & Jason Kendall	8/4/2009	$25.00	Erica we are SO proud of you!!!!! You are my inspiration!!!
John and Sharon Riesmeyer	8/4/2009	$500.00	Good luck and hope to see you soon

	* Total raised online:	$7,375.00
	Amount raised offline:	$25.00
	Grand Total:	$7,400.00

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