Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page and showing interest in a cause that is so close and dear to my heart! That means a lot to me!! (Make sure you read to the bottom..there's some new info about an event coming up in May of 2011...I'm raising money now as well as taking on the role as the chairperson-yea! My third event to raise money for such a wonderful cause!)

The past few years I've been lucky enough to work with the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation to organize two fundraising events....Sip for Sjogren's in San Antonio. Both events were a huge success and raised lots of money to go towards further educating people as well as patients about Sjogren's Syndrome and also providing money to conduct further research to hopefully (fingers crossed) one day find a cure for this often debilitating autoimmune disease. Sjogren's Syndrome affects everyone in different ways but in the end affects every aspect of your life.

I've lived with Sjogren's Syndrome for 11 years now and have been through many ups and downs. I tend to look healthy on the outside but on the inside I'm battling so many obstacles from severe dry eyes to dry mouth, GI issues, chronic sinusitis as well as additional chronic conditions. It's not a fun struggle but I've made the conscience decision to live my life to the fullest and enjoy each and every healthy day I have! God has placed this obstacle in my life for a reason and I would like to believe it's to educate the people around me, raise funds and provide support to others also living with this autoimmune disease.

This past year has been a rough one for me so unfortunately I was unable to hold the 3rd annual SA Sip for Sjogren's Event in 2010. I need to get myself strong and healthy so I can continue to raise money and awareness. I might not be able to support the Foundation by holding this event this year but I can still raise money for this wonderful organization. July 23rd was World Sjogren's Day and I was able to raise $525 that went directly to raise awareness and inform more friends/families/acquaintances about this disease and how it affects patients living with this on a daily basis.

IMPORTANT: Upcoming event!!! I have taken on another role as Chairperson for the FIRST Sjogren's Walkabout in SA. The Foundation has had numerous walkabouts all over the US but has yet to hold one in SA. Steve Taylor, the CEO of the Sjogren's Foundation, contacted me and I am so honored to one again work with them to bring awareness to the SA community! We'll begin working on all the details in January and the event will be slightly different than the Sip for Sjogren's Events I've held at the Sky Room at the University of the Incarnate Word. This will be an event for all of us to get out and walk to support the people living with Sjogren's as well as raise funds and awareness. I'm hoping to already start raising money for this event now!! Any amount...big or small makes a huge different in helping the Foundation raise awareness as well as provide drs with funds to look into new treatments. If you're familiar with all my ups and downs with my health..then you know what I go through. A cure would mean the world to me and just think...by making a donation you could play a role in finding a cure one day! How amazing would that be!!! I'll continue to update the page once we have a definitie day for this event in May and then I hope to see many of you out walking for this great cause! :)

PLEASE consider donating to this Foundation and supporting the millions of us that are living the best life we can while dealing with the struggles Sjogren's Syndrome has brought into our lives. It would mean a lot to me as well as all the other patients out there!

Love and hugs to all of you....Kim