Dear Friends and Family (and those I've never met who read this blog - hi!),
On November 10th, I am running in the Santa Barbara International Marathon Relay with a group of girls who all share the same passion as me in wanting to raise awareness and money to help put an end to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
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| Our relay team: Leanne, Sarah, Me and Tia |
Most of you that are reading this know that our dear friends Bill and Victoria Strong’s daughter, Gwendolyn, was diagnosed with this brutal disease at 6 months old.
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| Gwendolyn |
SMA is the #1 genetic killer of infants. Most babies do not survive past the age of two. Gwendolyn has been the exception and is still struggling with this debilitating disease. She is nearing her 5th birthday and cannot walk, sit-up, speak or even swallow. She eats via a feeding tube and breathes with the assistance of a machine.
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| Gwendolyn and Samantha |
What this disease does not hinder is her cognitive ability or her playful spirit. Gwendolyn is my daughter’s friend, her playmate. They play dress-up, watch movies, have tea parties and sing together.
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| Make-up and Dress-up with the Girls (and Jack!) |
The fact that Gwendolyn has to do all of this while attached to machines is not fair. No child should have to go through this.
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| Bill, Victoria and Gwendolyn Strong |
Throughout all of this, Bill and Victoria are the most positive, inspirational couple I have ever met. I am so proud of them and what they are doing in creating the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation to save their daughter and every other person out there that is battling SMA.
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| My trainer and me. |
Running is not my strong point (thank you to my relay team members for letting me have the shortest leg of the race!), but if it gets us a step closer to ending SMA, I’m game!
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| Never Give Up. |
I am running so that one day sweet Gwendolyn can too!
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| Gwendolyn surrounded by all of her friends who are rooting for her! |
My goal is to raise $1,000. You can help me by clicking HERE and donating online through the secure website. No donation is too small, every dollar counts, ($5 or $10 would mean so much to me.)
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| Gwendolyn is running in the race too. Bill will be pushing Gwendolyn alongside Victoria in the 1/2 marathon. |
Many thanks for your support and to learn more about the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, please visit thegsf.org.
Sincerely,
Ronda
