The 2011 Wharf to Wharf 10K is fast approaching and once again I am running in it to raise awareness and money for the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation. As many of you know, my wonderful wife Estrella, suffers from Sjogren's Syndrome and it has affected every aspect of her life.

Sjogren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disease that affect 4,000,000 Americans, 9 0f 10 are women and may be your mother, aunt, sister or daughter, for me it is my wife. The symptoms are severe dry eye and mouth, joint pain and swelling and chronic fatigue. THERE IS NO CURE and relief from symptoms is minimal at best by a wide array of medicines. To learn more and see Estrella's Story click here www.sjogrens.org/home/about-the-foundation/news-and-events/231?task=view

Since Estrella was diagnosed in 2003 with Sjogrens, I have watched her lose her career as a photojournalist and struggle daily to live a pain-free life. She has not given up though and in 2008, against extreme medical odds gave birth to our wonderful son, Anderson. As a mother she is the best, but it is a daily challenge to care for Anderson and care for herself all the while dealing with this chronic disease.

Estrella has not let Sjogren's get the best of her though. She has served on the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation board of directors for 4 years and gives freely of her time and energy to promote awareness of this disease through videos and other awareness campaigns. Running in the Wharf to Wharf and raising funds for Team Sjogren's for the second year is a major commitment for Estrella and myself.

Please give as much as you can to Team Sjogren's to raise money for research, awareness and to FIND A CURE! More importantly, if you know someone with dry eyes and mouth, joint pain and fatigue, tell them about Sjogren's Syndrome! Sjogrens.org

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for your donation. 

Jerry Bibbey