I along with many others imagine that someday we will understand why and how autoimmune disease occurs and that there will be a cure for Sjögren's Syndrome  (SS).  To achieve that will take the combined effort of many, large financial resources and the belief that it will happen--if not during our generation, then the next.  SS is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by significant dry eyes, dry mouth and accompanying systemic symptoms (severe fatigue, pain).  This disease unexpectedly affects millions of individuals, and is the second most common autoimmune disease behind rheumatoid arthritis. I also have close family members who have been affected by autoimmune disease.

 

I understand the distress that patients and families suffer because so much is unknown about why the body attacks itself.  Through it all, I think that it is very powerful to have hope that we will eventually understand why autoimmune disease occurs, faith that we are going to get through it, and have the will to live our lives to the fullest.  

 

I am running this race as a way to:

 

1) Thank the almost thousand individuals  who offered to come to San Francisco  from around the world to participate in an international  effort to promote our  understanding of SS as part of the Sjögren's International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (http://sicca.ucsf.edu). Your support of the project is extraordinary and deeply appreciated.

2) Raise awareness of Sjögren's Syndrome.

3) Raise funds to support the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation which has been relentless in pursuing the interests of individuals with SS.  

 

No contribution too small or too large. 

 

Thank you very much,

 

Ava

 

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!