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“2nd Annual Extreme Makeover for the Woman’s Soul” Fibromyalgia Benefit & Stilleto Challenge – Atlanta, Oct. 22-23, 2010

20 Oct

If you’re in the Atlanta area, please consider attending the 2nd Annual Extreme Makeover for the Woman’s Soul benefiting fibromyalgia and the National Fibromyalgia Association. It’s sure to be amazing event starting this Friday, October 22 – 23, 2010!

Organizer Mona Austin says, “The purpose of this event is to equip women to soar in their personal and professional lives from the home to the marketplace!”

DAY 1 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: Meet Tony Terry, Spokesperson for the National Fibromyalgia Association and husband and caregiver to Larondra Terry, who has fibromyalgia. Opening night festivities will be held at AREA Atlanta in Midtown

Location:         AREA of Atlanta, 1860 Piedmont; Midtown, (404) 249-2254

  • Mini-makeovers & pampering services (Hair, make-up, nails, lashes, massages.)
  • “Walk for the cause” Stiletto Challenge
  • Wine-tasting Cocktails and Mocktails
  • Zumba dance demos by Cleo Venegas
  • Lite fare
  • Henna Tatoo
  • HOT VENDORS
  • Shoes, fashion, jewelry, health products and more!

DAY 2 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Location:         Maggiano’s Little Italy, 3368 Peachtree Rd. NE; Buckhead (404) 816-9650

  • You will learn wellness, success strategies for business women, wealth building, work/life balance, recognizing Fibromyalgia symptoms and personal branding
  • Power networking with prizes awarded to the most effective connectors
  • Select vendors and exhibitors offering products and services that enhance women’s lives A full course of delicious Italian favorites

To register, and for more information, please visit their website: http://soulmakeoveratl2010.eventbrite.com/

The Stilleto Challenge

R&B veteran, Tony Terry will perform at the Stiletto Challenge Fibromyalgia Benefit in Atlanta, GA on Friday, October 22.  The voice of the classic love song “With You,” Terry is now a spokesperson for the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA).

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome marked by chronic pain and fatigue that affects over 10 millions Americans–mostly women. Tony’s wife Ronnie is one of them.  Speaking from the perspective of a husband, father and caregiver he is now using his voice to sound the alarm on this often misdiagnosed and misunderstood “invisible” condition.

In support of the $10 for 10 million  Fibromyalgia campaign, the women of Atlanta are invited to attend the Stiletto Challenge and hear Terry sing for only $10.  Starting at 6:00 p.m., the girls night out styled event sponsored by Jireh Communications Group will include shopping with chic vendors, music, beauty and pampering treatments, Zumba Fitness demos, drinks and lite fare at Area In Motion located at 1860 Piedmont (Midtown).

The Stilleto Challenge is also the prelude to the 2nd Annual Extreme Makeover for the Woman’s Soul (EMFWS), a personal and professional development summit/luncheon that will be held the following day, Saturday, October 23 at Maggiano’s of Buckhead located at 3368 Peachtree Rd., NE.  The cost to attend the luncheon is $40.

Join The Stiletto Challenge
With a minimum $10 donation participants must walk along a straight line on the runway in heels 4 inches or higher and conquer the catwalk without wobbling or falling.  Participants will be categorized based on the height of the heel and winners in each category will receive a swag bag and the wearer of the highest heels will earn the title “Queen of Heels.”  Participants may B.Y.O.S. (Bring your own shoes) or use the fancy footwear provided by shoe sponsor Ms. Mary Mack (http://www.msmarymac.com/).

Donate
Donations in support of the cause are being accepted online at their registration portal (http://soulmakeoveratl2010.eventbrite.com/)
or call 703-986-3464.

Vote for P.A.N.D.O.R.A., Inc. in Chase Community Giving Project

28 Jun

Marly Silverman, far right, with other Leaders Against Pain: "The NFA’s Leaders Against Pain program undoubtedly gave me greater confidence to do what I do now successfully and effectively."

Marly Silverman is one of the original members of the NFA’s Leader Against Pain, a program launched in 2005 for support group leaders and advocates that focuses on media, advocacy and leadership training.

Marly, who has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and fibromyalgia, has been hard at work as a leading patient advocate and founder of P.A.N.D.O.R.A. (Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research & Advocacy, Inc.) an emerging national 501c3 charity organization advocating for patients with CFS-ME, FM, GWS, EI, and chronic Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses.

Her latest major project is the establishment of the Neuroendocrineimmune (NEI) Center™, a patient-driven community project of P.A.N.D.O.R.A. in the state of New Jersey.

To help raise funds to build the NEI Center, P.A.N.D.O.R.A. is participating in the Chase Community Giving project on Facebook. Chase Community Giving will give away $5 million to charity. You help decide which 200 local charities receive donations by voting on Facebook. One charity will receive $250k; 4 runners-up will receive $100k; and 195 others will receive $20k

So far, P.A.N.D.O.R.A. has been one of the top vote getters, thanks to Marly and P.A.N.D.OR.A.’s efforts! Please help Marly and P.A.N.D.O.R.A. by clicking here to cast your vote:

http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/550795076-patient-alliance-neuroendocrineimmu-disorders-org-for-resech-amp-adv-inc

Marly credits her training with the NFA to her successful advocacy efforts: “The NFA’s Leaders Against Pain program undoubtedly gave me greater confidence to do what I do now successfully and effectively. I was able to cultivate wonderful life-long personal and professional friendships.

“I always looked forward to attending the NFA’s LAP meetings, because they are always inspirational, educational, and fun. I particularly liked the hands-on experience given in the Media Training sessions. The tips on how to address a reporter and how to write letters to the Editor were excellent. So while I knew I wanted to be a patient advocate for neuroendocrineimmune disorders, with the Leaders Against Pain training, through these leadership programs, I learned how to be even more effective!”

Thanks, Marly!

First place! Supporters of All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia “gave us that ‘oomph’ to keep going!”

21 Jun

All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia cycling team reported that they were the only team they knew who had such enthusiastic supporters coming out at all hours of the day and night to greet them at several time stations throughout the country during last week’s Race Across America.

Wearing orange and blue team colors, waving banners and balloons, supporters greeted the team, sometimes waiting for hours at a time at the time stations to show their appreciation for the riders.

“Our riders and crew were exhausted at the end of each day, but to see the people with fibromyalgia waiting for us at the time stations, especially in the middle of the night, was amazing,” said rider Denise Stone. “They really gave us that ‘oomph’ to keep going!”

With all the warm cheers and encouragement, is it any wonder that All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia finished in first place in the 4-person mixed category and second place overall? (First place winner was a professional team!)

The AW4F cycling team, consisting of 4 riders and 12 crew members, started their non-stop, coast-to-coast ride in Oceanside, California on Saturday, June 12 and ended on Friday, June 18 in Annapolis, MD in record time of 6 days, 5 hours and 21 minutes, with an average speed of 20.12 mph.

AW4F partnered with the National Fibromyalgia Association and select sponsors to raise funds and awareness of fibromyalgia. From Oceanside, California to Bloomington, Indiana, Teutopolis, Illinois and Ellenboro, West Virginia, the team was met by people with fibromyalgia who heard about their efforts mainly from the NFA’s Facebook page and website.

But, members of the team were also keeping up with the fan posts on Facebook. “My wife, Janna, would read us some of the posts and messages, and we were very moved by them,” said rider Karl Wianecki. “It was just overwhelming to know that we really touched people, and that they would come out for us like that. It was a very powerful experience for me!”

During last Saturday’s awards banquet in Annapolis after the race, AW4F rider Gernot Wolfram also gave an impassioned speech at the podium when asked by the organizers to say a few words about the NFA, the team’s charity of choice and their cause. News of the “midnight” fibromyalgia supporters drew the loudest cheers from the attendees.

“I talked for 15 minutes about what it meant for us to get the support at time stations, and what it meant for people with fibromyalgia to get out of their homes in the middle of the night,” Gernot Wolfram proudly recalled.  “The audience was really moved. Other teams didn’t have fans showing up for them!”

As for raising awareness for fibromyalgia?

“We talked with many people at time stations about fibromyalgia,” said crew member Brenda Weaver. “We handed out information and brochures from the NFA, and people were always asking us about fibromyalgia after seeing it on our jerseys and shirts. We got numerous media coverage thanks to our supporters and bloggers. And, many RAAM members couldn’t even say fibromyalgia before the race, now they actually know what it is!”

You can still help All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia reach their fundraising goal of $100,000! Click here to donate.

Coming Soon! Stay tuned for an upcoming video and more in-depth articles in FM AWARE magazine on the amazing race of All Wheels 4 Fibromyalgia!

“Relax Pack” pledges $1,000 to the NFA when company’s Facebook page reaches 1,000 fans

16 Jun

Tiffany Buntin, diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2005

Tiffany Buntin was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2005, but the Arizona business owner was no stranger to chronic pain ever since a rigorous workout at the gym two years before left her in constant physical anguish.

“I think I was stretching too hard, and something just seemed to pop in my spine,” Tiffany recalled. “I had chronic fatigue even before that, and with my mother also having fibromyalgia, I think it was just festering in my body waiting for a trigger.”

After trying numerous doctor visits, therapies and medications which only made her pain worse, Tiffany discovered the benefits of hot and cold therapy packs. Although they gave her much needed relief, Tiffany, like many people with fibromyalgia, was also prone to chemical sensitivities. The packs, she noticed, weren’t organic, and some of them didn’t even contain the “herbs” as advertised.

Entrepreneurial in nature and experience, Tiffany launched “Relax Pack,” a 100% organic herbal pain therapy pack company in November 2009.

“Our packs are handmade in our Scottsdale, Arizona warehouse using only 100% organic fabric and ingredients,” Tiffany proudly claims. “My packs are not a cure, but they are designed to help those who suffer from chronic illness or an injury by relieving some of the pain, if just for a little while, to help you get on with your day.”

Relax Pack body pack

1,000 Facebook fans campaign
With over 1,000 customers less than a year since its launch, Relax Pack is enjoying a growing following, especially on social media sites, such as Facebook.

Relax Pack’s Facebook page has nearly 900 followers or fans. As a way to give back to the fibromyalgia community, the company pledges to donate $1,000 to the National Fibromyalgia Association once it gets 1,000 fans on Facebook. Through the sales of its “Fibro bracelets,” Relax Pack has already donated $2,518 so far to the NFA via its Cause page on Facebook.

“When I was first diagnosed, I looked online to find out more about fibromyalgia, and that’s when I found the NFA’s website,” recalled Tiffany. “It was fantastic, informative, and I love what the NFA is doing for people with fibromyalgia.”

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