Thank you for visiting my Personal Fundraising Page. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make a contribution to our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support-- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

As I think you know, in Sep 1987 I was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, told I had about half the lung capacity I should have had, and given an estimated 2 years to live.  It is a genetic rare disease that stops the release of a protein from the liver which counteracts the destructive action of a white blood cell enzyme in the lungs, leading to all the forms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.  I've obviously beaten the longevity projection.  Largely, I think, because I've had available a replacement for my abnormal Alpha-1 (the nickname our "Alpha community" uses) that was developed in the '70's.  I have to give myself a weekly infusion by IV to help protect my lungs from further damage.  Our Alpha disease family has an Association to provide counseling, support and advocacy, as well as a Foundation whose goal is to raise funds to subsidize research seeking a real cure for our disease (or at least, better treatments to prevent the continuing deaths from Alpha-1).  The Foundation's research program is very aggressive and has made substantial progress using grants and donations from people like you.

This May there will be a fundraising "bridge walk" across New York's George Washington Bridge joined by some of the leading researchers into Alpha-1, many of the Association's and Foundation's leaders, and many Alphas and family members.  Whether you want and are able to participate or not, both I, the 6000+ Alphas, and the Foundation would greatly appreciate your donation to help us find a way to stay alive.  That sounds corny and over-dramatic, but it is the literal truth.

Thanks for reading this, and I hope you'll help, as I have personally made a donation ifor the Bridge Walk, in addition to the one I make annually.

Tom Witt