Thank you for visiting my fundraising page! I am trying to raise money to support FMDSA. The Fibromuscular Dysplasia Society of America, Inc. is a voluntary health organization dedicated to improving the lives of those afflicted with Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) by raising awareness and developing funds to promote research towards new medical treatments and diagnostic tools.
I want to bring awareness to Fibromuscular Dysplasia. FMD is a disease that causes one or more arteries in the body to have abnormal cell development resulting in narrowing of the artery wall. The narrowing can cause a decrease in blood flow and result in damage to the organ that is supplied by that artery. The American Stroke Association now recognizes Fibromuscular Dysplasia as a cause of stroke.
My Story: I grew up in the Twin Cities and now live in Albert Lea, Minnesota. I am 40-year-old retired RN/ Emergency Room Nurse. I am very fortunate that Mayo Clinic diagnosed me before anything life threatening happened. In July 2006 I started running, my long runs were 10-13 miles. I was training for a half marathon. In the spring of 2007 I felt short of breath going up stairs, and could not run the distances I use to. I went from running 10-13 miles to being able to run only a mile. I developed palpitations, and felt very dizzy just sitting at my computer. I also had a very loud swooshing in my ears. I saw a cardiologist for my frequent PVC’s and he heard bruits in my carotid, epigastric, renal and femoral arteries. Further work up lead to diagnosis of Bilateral Carotid Artery FMD (Fibromuscular Dysplasia), Brain Aneurysms and Femoral & Renal Artery FMD. I now have a wonderful team of doctors at Mayo Clinic Rochester monitoring me.
Not everyone is as fortunate as I; many young women have strokes, arterial dissections and sometimes death before being diagnosed. Patients are being sent home from emergency rooms because physicians are not familiar with this disease. This disease can strike young women, men and children and when left undiagnosed or mistreated it can be critical. Unfortunately many physicians misunderstand this disease. Fibromuscular dysplasia has recently been gaining attention in the medical community but still has a long way to go.
With your help FMDSA can continue to educate and save lives. It is important to be diagnosed with FMD prior to any events (stroke, kidney damage, etc), as interventional procedures can benefit patients.
When I was first diagnosed it was very difficult to find accurate information on this disease. Like most I went to the Internet to do my research , I am glad FMDSA was there for me.
If you are able to donate $5, $10 or more it would help out so many of us afflicted with this disease. Just think if 1 million people donated $1.00 how it would change the quality of life for many, especially the children. If you are unable to donate at this time I understand, but would appreciate you taking the time to visit www.fmdsa.org and learning more about this organization and disease.
My vascular doc once told me that "only the good die young", he also told me not to worry I would live to be a very old age! Please consider donating to FMDSA so allthose afflicted with FMD can live to an old age! I want to thank all of you who have donated, I am touched by your generosity.
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!
Hugs,
Kari
