Walk For Lupus Now LA 2011

Here we go again.  Its 5 days till the Lupus Walk in LA.  Here are the details:

Saturday, September 24, 2011Los AngelesWalk for Lupus NowCheck-in: 9:00 AM Walk Starts: 10:00 AM
Christmas Tree Lane at Exposition Park

Enter at Figueroa and 39th in Los Angeles, CA
Parking is $12 - cash only

I'll be walking again in memory of my dear sista-from-another-mista, Ms. Emeline Te'o.  This will be our 5th year walking and 3 years since her passing.  It doesn't seem like its been that long.  Time is a weird thing.  I miss her.  We get together every year (or twice a year for the UT family that does that walk) to remember her and do what we can to help those through research donations so they don't have to go through the same thing.  Em was only 25 years when she left us, 25.  I remember visiting her for the last time in the hospital.  She had been in and out of the hospital before but had always came out and I didn't really think it was that serious till that last visit.  I remember calling Hana afterwards (she was living in AZ then) and just being blown away.  I'd never seen her like that before.  I bough her a dumb little piggy bank that she could paint and travel Connect 4.  Uncle and cousin were there visiting her also, watching a movie with her.  I sat there and let her win at Connect 4.  She was on a liquid diet at that time.  She keep telling me how we were going to eat it up when she got out.  I agreed to take her wherever she wanted to go.  I really thought she would get out.  I'm not sure why I'm recalling this now.  I use to be afraid to die. I'm not anymore.  I know I'll be greeted by so many people I've lost in this life.  Its going to be a happy reunion.  I can wait for that reunion (I have my goal set to at least reach 100 yrs) but am not afraid for it to come.  I'm just so greatful for life and greateful to be able to have made the most out of it.  Em might has died young, but I know she didn't die without living.  She may have been limited in the things she could do but that didn't stop her.  I remember her complaining about not being about to go to the beach one day to play volleyball with her friends.  She ended up saying "screw it" and went anyways.  She was a little firecracker. Ha.  I loved that about her.  It might have made her sick, but she didn't want to miss out on anything.

There are two walks for Lupus in my area annually.  I walk in LA with my team (Troop ET) and volunteer for the walk in Orange County.  I love doing both but have had the opportunity to meet lots of really great people thorough volunteering for the OC walk.  I feel like in a way its been a "therapy session" of sorts.

The Color Purple

Its that time again! I'm walking again to raise money for the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) at Walk for Lupus Now, LA.  This years walk information (you're invited to participate any way you can!):

Saturday, September 25th, 2010
Christmas Tree Lane, Exposition Park (USC)
Los Angeles, CA
Check in at 9am, walk begins at 10

You can follow this link to my personal donation page (click on "Donate to Nacolynn's Efforts" tab). This is why I walk. Troop ET is going on strong, year 4 and counting.  Thank you for your help, understanding, and willingness to support the cause and help find a cure. Si se puede.

Ok guys, 7 More Weeks...

So time is flying by! 7 more weeks till this years annual Walk for Lupus Now LA. As a team we're doing great so far (go Team ET), but we still need donations! It is only through generous donators that we're able to make break through with research, fund support groups, educate and increase awareness of the disease. Please consider making a donation in my name to the Lupus Foundation of America. This is my 3rd year walking and I am walking for awareness and in memory of a dear friend of mine that didn't win her battle again Lupus. I know many out there don't have a clue what this disease is and how bizarre its symptoms can be. I know personally how devastating this disease can be. So, lets pull together and see what we can do for those around us ;)

You can reach my personal donation page -----> here (just click on the "Donate to Nacolynn's Effort" tab).

Ahe'hee and God bless!

P.S. And a special thank you to all those who have already donated! The lupus community thanks you deeply!

OC Walk for Lupus Now

Sat. was Orange County's first Walk for Lupus Now event sponsored by the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). I had the opportunity to volunteer (since I do the LA walk with my team, Troop ET). I got there early (before 7am) to help with set up and registration. We had the fun task of blowing up (via helium) lots and lots of purple (Lupus color) balloons and hanging them up around the tents.Here's Christi Rauth (who's mother has Lupus) giving all of us volunteers instruction. Christi is in charge of all the CA walks, and does a fantastic job with each.Here we are at our table, waiting for the walkers to come.

The weather was actually very nice. It was a little overcast at first, but mild and beautiful. In the background is the Great Park Balloon, its a FREE hot air balloon that people can ride at the OC Great Park. It looks fun. But apparently there are a wind restrictions that limit operation.

I ended up having a really good time. I got to meet a lot of great people and hear about their stories. Some volunteers had been recently diagnosed with Lupus (within the last couple years), while other knew people who were currently suffering or had loved ones pass from the disease, like me. I didn't think it would be emotional, but I couldn't' help thinking about Eme toward the end of her fight. A mother and brother I met came down from Glendale who have a daughter/sister with Lupus. She's been through the same thing as Eme, dialysis, chemo, swelling, tiredness, etc. Luckily hers is in remission, unlike others who were there to make a statement while their loved ones were home with Hospice. Lupus really is an ugly disease. OC's goal was to raise $75,000, which I'm sure they achieved (they're currently at $66, 272). I was surprised at how many people actually came down to support. Everyone with their teams, co-works, friends, family members, all to support those who were suffering from the disease or had lost someone, or just to support a good cause. Anyways, I'm grateful too have been able to help out. I'm also still raising money for the LA Walk for Lupus Now, which is in Sept. You can visit my page here and help me toward my goal. We are making and difference, and we are raising an awareness. I was happy to see a Lupus billboard via The Ad Council in downtown Santa Ana! How cool is that! People are learning about the disease and the money we're raising is helping doctors work towards curing it. Additional photos can be viewed here!

Its that time again!

The Lupus Foundation of America is sponsoring Walk for Lupus Now, LA again this year in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to all of you, I was able to reach my goal of raising $1,000 last year. This year's I'm going to double my goal to $2,000. I starting earlier and hope to be able to do it! Please take a look at my link and consider making a donation of any size. Even if everyone made a $5 donation, that would amount to a lot in the end! Every little bit counts. Its been a year since Eme's passing and the money we raise is going to further research in hopes of preserving the live of thousands of others who are currently suffering from this disease. If anything I just want to raise awareness about the disease itself.

Thank you for you time and I'm thanking you all in advance!

Love,

Nacolynn :)

"Living with Lupus"

This is a new video by S.L.E. Lupus Foundation about living with Lupus. Also, I've been meaning to post about Walk for Lupus, OC. That's right. This year is the first year Walk for Lupus is doing a walk in Orange County. So, let me know if you want info or are looking to volunteer! And as always, donations are ALWAYS appreciated. Thanks again!

Lupus Awards Luncheon

So, many of you may remember my donation request for Walk for Lupus Now LA. Well, were invited for the awards luncheon that was held at CPK in Lakewood. It was great to be there and see other walkers and supporters.
%20class=">An LFA (Lupus Foundation of America) representative from Chicago flew out for the award presentation. Walk for Lupus Now LA raised over $204,000 dollars!

A large group of us gathered at the Lakewood California Pizza Kitchen for free food (thanks CPK!) and awards. Dan with CPK was gracious enough to donate all the food for the luncheon. Thank you soooo much Dan!

The highlight of the event had to be when our Team was presented with an award for our fundraising efforts. We were one of the top teams to earn this award. I can't tell you how happy this made me. I was already emotional from an e-mail that was read from another Lupus girl who was choosen to be part of the Ad Council (this is GREAT news), a personal experience of life with Lupus, then the announced our name and the award. I wasn't expecting that at all. I kept thinking of all the e-mails I sent out, the people I bugged for donations, and all the effort we're making for the loved one we lost to the disease. All that effort made it worth it in that very moment. We were surrounded by so many other people who are affected by the disease and are out for cure and to rise awareness of this disease. Hana accepting the team award (a cute little purple Chuck Taylor!).
Troop ET, for being one of the top teams to earn the most money! Thanks again guys for your support! You don't know how much it means to us! Not to mention the LFA and others who are benefiting from the awareness and research for a cure! We're all winners!!! Haha and I with the LFA representative.

Also, the dates for this years walk are out. It'll be the same place this year for LA on September 12, 2009 in Exposition Park (USC campus), LA, CA. And in the OC @ Hidden Valley on June 6th. I'm only walking the LA walk but just emailed someone about volunteering for the OC walk! It'll be our 1st walk down here. So sign up!

I MADE MY GOAL!!!

I received this e-mail today:

"Congratulations for the wonderful job you did at raising funds in second annual Walk for Lupus Now in Los Angeles! Our records indicate that you raised more than $1,000"

Yah! I thought I was short, but according to Walk for Lupus Now LA, I wasn't. Yah!!! We'll see how much we can do next year. Our final total as a team was: $4832.00. We'll beat $5G next year...you better believe it! Oh, and a side note, I saw a worker at one of my labs that had a purple bracelet. I asked him if it was a Lupus band. Apparently his daughter has it (teenager) and has for about 6 years? I'm grateful for my own awareness about the disease and keep meeting more and more people who have it or know someone who has it. Hopefully with all our efforts we can help researchers find a cure :) Thanks again for all your support and donations!