Envision awaking every morning feeling like you ran a marathon the day before. For sufferers of Sjogren's Syndrome it doesn't take that vivid of an imagination.

3 years ago, during a routine physical prior to our departure for an assignment in Azerbaijan, my wife Karen received some troubling test results. Her white blood cell count was lower than normal indicating there was a problem with her auto immune system. Her adventurous spirit would not allow this bad news to interfere with our departure and over the following year we explored the other side of the planet travelling from Baku to Istanbul to deepest darkest Africa and many points in between. All the while Karen's health continued to deteriorate, often leaving her bed ridden in a foreign land without the comforts of friends or family (or even a decent cheeseburger), all a half a world away. It is a testament to her fighting spirit that only when I forced her kicking and screaming on to a flight home that she left Azerbaijan in order to receive much needed medical attention. Upon her return to Houston Karen was diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome.

So, other than hard to pronounce, what is Sjogren's (show-grens by the way)? Its actually the 2nd leading autoimmune rheumatic disease in the country affecting upwards of 4 million Americans. This little known, yet disabling, disease causes dry eyes, dry mouth and dysfunction of internal organs, including kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and nervous system. Those afflicted with Sjogren's experience extreme fatigue, joint pain, and have a higher risk of lymphoma.

Having witnessed first hand Karen's bravery as she has continued to struggle to maintain a normal life while fighting this debilitating disease I felt inspired to join Team Sjogren's to raise money and awareness. Given its lack of visibility Sjogren's is in dire need of funds for life-changing research and educational programs provided by the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation. I am currently training for the San Antonio Rock n' Roll Marathon on November 15th and because of the great response we have received so far, you have inspired Karen and I to dream even bigger. With your help we can reach our new goal of $5000!!

I'll be waking up pretty tired and sore on November 16th after running 26.2 miles, but with the help of your contribution we can make it so 4 million Sjogren's sufferers don't feel that way every morning.

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!

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!