Kostandaras Family Fundraiser Seeks Volunteers
June Kostandaras, who ran her first annual fundraiser last year at the Richfield Inn, is putting together a committee to help with this years event. It was a very successful first year and she is hoping to expand and improve on the event this year and in the future. This year's event is scheduled for November 8..
We need volunteers to work on the planning committee. June will bring this up at the April 24th meeting of the NE Ohio support group, but all are welcome to participate. You can help in many ways so learn more about how and please volunteer to be part of this important and exciting fundraising effort.
If you want to learn more either attend the support group meeting Thursday, April 17, or contact our office at 866-849-9030 and we'l put you in touch with June. |
First Kostandaras Family Fundraiser Has Great Turnout
Over 140 friends and family members joined June Kostandaras, a Cleveland/Akron-area scleroderma patient, for an evening of food and fun Saturday, Dec. 1, in an effort to raise awareness and donations for the Ohio Chapter. Lots of wonderful items were donated for raffle and auction, and a preliminary figure of $15,000 was raised. Thanks to the Kostandaras family and everyone who helped with this event! |
| 4th
Annual Walk in NE Ohio is a HUGE success!
A record 400 people showed up early on June 2
at Boardman Park to raise awareness and $40,000
for the Scleroderma Foundation, Ohio Chapter.
Many thanks to all our volunteers, sponsors, and
walkers!
View
photos here!
5th Annual Stepping
Out to Cure Scleroderma Walk in Dublin
It was hot and steamy, but over 150 walkers braved
the weather to walk for a cure. Many walked in
memory of dads with scleroderma on Father's Day,
but dads also joined us to raise money and awareness
in support of their children with scleroderma.
Highlights included the Ford Trimotor cruising
overhead as it gave rides from OSU's Don Scott
Field nearby, and our silent auction with great
gifts for Dad, including 2 tickets to the OSU
vs Illinois game in 2007, and a football signed
by Coach Jim Tressel. For many, the visit by animals
from the Columbus Zoo during registration was
the most fun. The tortoise and hare reminded us
to take is easy during the walk, and the albino
boa constrictor and African armadillo seemed right
at home in the 90+ degree temperature!
We were treated to lunch again this year by City
Barbeque and our thanks to them and Chris and
Jeannette Hughes for our full tummies. Thanks
also to the rest of our walk committee, Chris
Eberhart, Amy Krasuna, Stacy Beckman, Courtney
Andrews, Ron Cabuno, Sara Janovsky, and Jill Jameson.
Much gratitude also to our many event-day volunteers
who set up, checked in, restocked, sold, cleaned
up, and answered many, many questions. We couldn't
do it without you!
Our preliminary total for the walk is $12,000,
but we expect that to rise. Winners of fundraising
awards were Marc Solochek for "Adult Top
Fundraiser," Ailis Lindsey for "Youth
Top Fundraiser," and "Bissell's Bunch"
for "Team Top Fundraiser." Marc walked
in support of his daughter Debbie with scleroderma;
Ailis, who has localized scleroderma, walked with
her dad and the rest of their family; and "Bissell's
Bunch" walked in memory of their father,
Roger Bissell., who died in 2006 from scleroderma
complications.
Our deepest thanks to all our sponsors: Actelion
Pharmaceuticals and Encysive Pharmaceuticals;
a donation in memory of Linda Burkhart; United
Dairy Farmers; The Columbus Zoo; Central Ohio
Paintball; Shumaker, Loop, and Kendrick, LLP;
and Central Ohio Plastic Surgery, Inc. We'd also
like to thank the companies that provided in-kind
services and products for our silent auction.
A special thank you to WBNS-TV for our PSAs promoting
awareness and the walk, and to the Bissell family
for their news story to raise awareness that aired
the Friday before the walk.
View
photos here! |
