“The Power to Connect” has already joined the community for Alpha-1 Awareness in the first week in November! The enthusiasm and commitment of our incredible Virtual Walk team captains and volunteers around the country have set the pace for an inspiring month ahead.
The Birmingham A1F Education Day took place on Saturday, November 2nd in Birmingham, Alabama. Special thank you to the Alpha-1 specialists from the University of Alabama (UAB) led by Dr. Mike Wells for educating Alphas on both lung and liver disease, pulmonary rehabilitation, and new and emerging therapies on the horizon. The Alpha-1 Foundation staff, including President and CEO, Scott Santarella and board member, Peg Iverson also were able to tour the Clinical Resource Center (CRC) at the University of Alabama led by Dr. Mike Wells.
The Alpha-1 Virtual Walk Zoom Kickoff Celebration on October 30th brought the Alpha-1 community together, with teams from across the country sharing heartfelt stories and strategies to increase awareness of Alpha-1. Participants learned how easy raising funds can be using the activities calendar to motivate friends and family to be a part of the excitement.
As part of the Alpha-1 Virtual Walk campaign this year, participants are encouraged to use “Good Move,” a free phone app that can be easily downloaded to track your steps and all the acts of kindness for this month. There is still time to start or join a team in your area. You have the power to connect with the Alpha-1 community. Registration is $25 and includes the official 2024 A1F Virtual Walk T-Shirt. To register: give.alpha1.org/VirtualWalk24
Over the weekend, “Team Keep Breathing 60” led by Team Captain Lynn Soriano took place on November 3rd at the Boardwalk at Sunken Meadow State Park in New York. Lynn gathered over 40 in-person walkers and an additional virtual walker in honor of her 60th birthday! Together, the team was able to raise over $4,000 towards a cure.
“When I was thinking about celebrating my 60th birthday, I immediately knew I wanted to raise awareness and donations to the Alpha-1 Foundation. A1F has been a game-changer for me. I am hopeful for a cure and feel thankful to be part of the Alpha-1 family. I am so blessed!” says Alpha Lynn Soriano.
On November 2nd, Team Harrison in Lexington, KY, hosted their 7th annual walk, with over 45 friends and family joining together for a friendly football game. Raising over $2,000 in funds and awareness in honor of their son Harrison (who is now a freshman in college), the Stephens family is engaged in various events throughout the year for Alpha-1. Hillary Stephens, Harrison’s mom, expressed gratitude for the support they have found through the Alpha-1 Foundation, emphasizing the importance of awareness in helping others and finding a cure.
MI Alphas, led by team captains Megan Lyle and Judy Harnois, walked together at The Michigan History Museum after their support group meeting in Lansing, Michigan.
On November 1, TEAM MITCH led by Team Captains Lori and David Mitcheroney was held on Long Beach in Plymouth, Massachusetts to kick off Alpha-1 Awareness Month with the 4 little grandkids. The team looks forward to joining their larger team with family later in the month on November 17th at a park in Boston!
In Lincoln, Nebraska, Chelsea Boring and Nora Kremmer, leaders of the Big Red Alphas support group, met with Governor Pillen and were presented with a proclamation establishing November as Alpha-1 Awareness Month in Nebraska.
Thank you to Teresa Thomas for securing a proclamation from South Dakota from Governor Kristi Noem declaring November Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) Awareness Month in South Dakota.
The Alpha-1 Gulf Coast Bike Trek 2024 took place on Saturday, November 2nd at St. Petersburg College in Clearwater, Florida. In partnership with the American Lung Association, the Alpha-1 Foundation continued the 29-year partnership of Escape to the Cape in the Southeast. Riders and volunteers cheered on Team Alpha-1 to cross the finish line on. Participants chose from different riders several rider registration options including a seasoned cyclist’s 62-mile loop, an adventure seeker’s 40-mile loop, or a family-friendly trek that tops out at 10 miles.
“It was a well-organized event that provided a challenging course but a very family friendly experience. We made new friends along the way and look forward to next year! Everyone made our little Alpha Thomas feel so special and it was nice to be able to show all of our annual donors’ pictures of our family actually participating in an actual bike trek. I was extremely honored and emotional to wear an Alpha angel patch in memory of Fred Walsh. He is dearly missed, and we will continue the mission forward in honor of him,” exclaimed Jessica Brown.
Alpha Craig Hamilton from Spanish Fork, Utah returned to local show “Studio Chatter” to raise #Alpha1Awareness during Alpha-1 awareness month. Click here to watch the video.
Your participation matters! The Alpha-1 Research Registry is empowering researchers with critical data to advance understanding and treatment of Alpha-1. Join more than 3,800 participants contributing to the future of Alpha-1 research and enroll today: https://alpha1.org/join-the-alpha-1-research-registry/
November is also National Caregivers Month. Thank you to all the caregivers who pay it forward each day for Alphas and turn personal challenges into beacons of hope for others.
“When my infant daughter was diagnosed with Alpha-1 in 2017, the Alpha-1 community became a cornerstone in helping my family navigate the challenges of this rare disease, shaping the way I care for both my child and myself as a caregiver. This inspired me to become a support group leader to ensure that no one feels alone –just as other leaders did for me,” stated Nora Kemmerer.
Want to be featured in next week’s recap? Submit your virtual walk photos to Irene Calderon at icalderon@alpha1.org.
