Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!  This is year 2 of fundraising online -- worked out well last year, so I figured we'd try it again.  I'm excited to try to walk it this year -- it's been 4 or 5 years since I've been well enough to actually do that, and I'm hopeful that this has been a long enough "rest"!

Before I go any further, I need to tell you that I have a friend who lives in the UK who I'm also raising funds for.  She and I met on a lupus support group website about 4 years ago and clicked right away.  It wasn't long before we became our own little support group.  It seems like we've known each other forever, even though we've never met in person, and we're able to compare notes, complain and encourage each other as we're going through such similar things, physically.  It's also been interesting to both of us to see how each of our countries handle health care, and the good and bad in each.  Anyway, Donna, half of this is for you!!

I have some fantastic friends, family, colleagues and well, then there's my husband's friends and colleagues who have also been incredibly generous in the past.  For those of you who know me well, I know you've hated watching me go through the last several years, never knowing when you called, emailed, or stopped by how I would be.  But you never stopped being there; maybe you emailed me at night after the kids went down; maybe you called me around an already busting schedule; maybe you were a colleage/friend who actually emailed me for advice about a case (you don't know how much those emails meant to me -- my opinion counts?  WOW -- those always made me feel so good).  Maybe you just took a chance and called or stopped by, only to hear from Bill that I was sleeping or just not up to talking or doing much.  Please know I always knew you were there, thinking of me, supporting me in the way you could.  I know you are there now.

For those of you who would like to know more about lupus or what it's like to live with lupus (or what it's like to live WITH someone who has lupus or a chronic illness of any kind), I encourage you to go to the following website:  www.butyoudontlooksick.com  and/or google:  The Spoon Theory.  Of course the Michigan Lupus Alliance website also provides good information, so you've got lots of choices.

I know these last few years have been rough on everyone financially... we're living in a tough economy, and I completely understand if you can't financially support this cause.  Going to the event at Metro Beach (beautiful setting if you've never been there) and just walking -- bring your dog or a stroller or two -- and supporting us that way would be just as great.  You can register for the event by calling 800-705-6677 (or you can just show up between 10am and 11am, when the event is scheduled to start, and just walk -- it's not a race, so it's a very laid back time).

However, if you can, donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.  Even though it's still early now (it's early August, and the walk is Sep. 27), you may contribute through early October.

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