“The Power to Connect” continues to energize the entire Alpha-1 community during the second week of Alpha-1 Awareness month! The enthusiasm and commitment of our incredible A1F Virtual Walk teams and volunteers raising awareness around the country have set the pace for an inspiring month ahead.
The Alpha-1 Community has hit 77% of the overall fundraising goal of $70,000. Now is the time to reach out to all your friends and family and ask them to help support you and your virtual walk! Help us cross the finish line and get one step closer to a cure. Click here to register NOW!
Week 2 Virtual Walk Highlights:
- Team Steve led by Team Captain Memory Whitlock marked their ninth consecutive year of participation in West Monroe, Louisiana. With over 40 family and friends, they walked in memory of her late husband, Steve, raising over $4,000. Every step is a tribute, every mile a step towards a cure.
- Team Oregon Alphas led Team Captains Natasha Durant and Mary Chilton held their walk on November 9th during their Support Group Meeting in Happy Valley, Oregon. The team met at Clackamas Town Center Mall and walked together before their lunch and meeting. Dr. Alan Barker from Oregon Health & Science University will be generously matching up to $2,000 of Oregon Alphas fundraising to increase the total for the annual walk to $4,135.
- Team Hoosier Alphas led by Team Captain Bethany Wire took place on Saturday, November 9th in Anderson, Indiana. The support group joined together for this annual walk to get their steps in and raise awareness in their purple shirts.
- Team Idaho Alpha’s and Allies led by Team Captains Michelle Abrams and Diane Angell was held on Sunday, November 10th in Boise, Idaho. Thirty-three participants walked at the Boise Greenbelt, one of Boise’s most beloved parks walking along the tree-lined pathway that follows the north and south sides of the Boise River through the heart of the city.
- Team JPH led by Team Captain Lauren Herrin took place this past weekend in Georgia in Blackshear and Simon’s Island. Lauren and her mother, Janet Reid and the Team are walking in memory of Lauren’s dad who passed away in 2006 from Alpha-1.
- In Omaha, Nebraska, Chelsea Boring and Nora Kemmerer, leaders of the Big Red Alphas support group walked on November 9th at Westroads Mall. These Alpha moms continue to raise awareness in week 2!
“The walk went great, we had about 40 participants, making it the biggest group yet! This walk and spreading awareness for Alpha-1 means so much to me and my family. Early diagnosis is the key and if I can help someone receive a diagnosis then I know I made a difference. Also, it is so important to provide support to the Alpha-1 community, so no family has to go through this journey alone,” said Chelsea Boring.
Please continue to email friends and family, upload your progress on the “Good Move” app and post on social media using the #A1FVW24 and #Alpha1Awareness hashtags. Please send your pictures to Irene Calderon at icalderon@alpha1.org to be featured on social media and the weekly Awareness Month emails and highlights.
This November, we are connecting forces with the European Parliament to raise #Alpha1Awareness. Let’s make Alpha-1 visible and advocate for everyone around the world affected by this rare condition. Click here to watch video: LINK
Connect with the Alpha-1 Research Registry team this month! 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/
Daniel Grimm, Alpha and advocate visited Wave Life Sciences in Lexington, Massachusetts to talk about life as an Alpha to their team and raise Alpha-1 awareness. They provided a lab tour and then held a walk!
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. Norma Leising is raising awareness by reaching out to her local news station in Reno, Nevada to be featured on their health segment. Norma’s husband Steve recently passed away from Alpha-1. Norma was an incredible caregiver administering Steve’s weekly infusions. She learned how to give the infusions so that they could continue to travel around the country together. Norma is the leader of the Reno-Tahoe local support group. Both Norma and Steve were incredible advocates participating in many Zoom meetings with congressional leaders and Alpha-1 advocate trainings. Thank you, Norma for your continued dedication and commitment to raising awareness for Alpha-1.
Thank you, Amber Pelletier for being an incredible caregiver to your dad, Brian Pelletier. Amber together with her dad are support group leaders in Maine for the Alpha 1 Mainers and incredible advocates in Washington, D.C. “Throughout my father’s Alpha-1 diagnosis and lung transplant process, the Alpha-1 Foundation and community helped me every step of the way, providing resources, education, and connections that have been vital in being his caregiver. Now, as a Support Group Leader, I can give back to those who have helped us throughout some of our most challenging times.”- Amber Pelletier.
This week also marks National Nurse Practitioner Week to recognize these incredible healthcare providers and raise awareness of the powerful role they play in ensuring general health and well-being for Alphas! We are grateful for the nurse practitioners that help Alphas get tested and early diagnosis. Did you know that the Alpha-1 Foundation partners with the Cleveland Clinic to provide FREE continuing medical education credits to help clinicians and healthcare providers learn more about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency? Click here to learn more: https://alpha1.org/continuing-medical-education-credits/
As we are about to hit the halfway point of Alpha-1 Awareness Month, these stories of resilience, remembrance, and community support provide us with the “Power to Connect”. The passion of the Alpha-1 community is evident in the many activities that continue to occur throughout this month and the entire year!
Have you used your “Power to Connect”? There is no better time than now! Click here to learn more: https://alpha1.org/alpha-1-awareness-month/
