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.

I'm fundraising for the EDNF foundation. This foundation is dedicated to creating resources for those affected by Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, through creating and distributing accurate information, providing a network of support and communication, as well as fostering and funding medical research.

Individuals with EDS have a defect in their connective tissue, the tissue that provides support to many body parts such as the skin, muscles and ligaments. The fragile skin and unstable joints found in EDS are the result of faulty collagen. Collagen is a protein, which acts as a "glue" in the body, adding strength and elasticity to connective tissue.

EDS most typically affects the joints, skin, and blood vessels, the major signs and symptoms include:

 

• Highly flexible fingers and toes
• Loose, unstable joints that are prone to: sprains, dislocations, subluxations (partial dislocations), hyperextension(double jointedness) 
• Flat feet
• High and narrow palate, resulting in dental crowding
• Easy bruising
• Small, fragile blood vessels
• Velvety-smooth skin which may be stretchy
• Abnormal wound healing and scar formation
• Low muscle tone and Muscle weakness
• Early onset of osteoarthritis
• Cardiac effects: Dysautonomia usually accompanied by Valvular heart disease (such as mitral valve prolapse, which creates an increased risk for infective endocarditis during surgery, as well as possibly progressing to a life-threatening degree of severity of the prognosis of mitral valve prolapse).

 

There are six major types of EDS. The different types of EDS are classified according to the signs and symptoms that are manifested.

Though I showed a variety of symptoms from a very young age, I was only officially diagnosed with the disease a couple of years ago. The traumatic experience of seeing countless doctors and undergoing painful and unnecessary medical tests has resulted in a great determination to raise funds for this foundation, to raise awareness amongst the community, this is to ensure that no one else will have to go through what I went through.

Your donation would be greatly appreciated!

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