thank you! - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Association of America
thank you! - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Association of America
thank you! - Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Association of America
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The Puerto Rico Occupational Therapy<br />
<strong>Association</strong> sent $50. Your kind notes<br />
and words <strong>of</strong> encouragement were very<br />
heart warming. Together, we are making<br />
a difference.<br />
In October, the MN RSDS/CRPS Coalition<br />
sponsored its second walk-a-thon to raise<br />
money for CRPS research. More than 40<br />
individuals from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and<br />
as far away as Connecticut, participated and<br />
thus far, we have raised more than $10,000!<br />
I want to <strong>thank</strong> Bonnie Scherer, Linda<br />
Loudermill, Barbara VanKeuren, and the<br />
MN RSDS/CRPS Coalition for their hard<br />
work and dedication.<br />
In three major walks (two <strong>of</strong> the walks<br />
were cosponsored with the Achilles Track<br />
Club), RSDSA raised $40,000, a little<br />
more than in 2006. We know that the CRPS<br />
community has the potential for promoting<br />
much greater public awareness and research<br />
dollars. In 2008, we hope to raise more than<br />
$100,000 for CRPS research. With <strong>you</strong>r<br />
help, we will succeed. n<br />
Thanksgiving<br />
By Paul R. Charlesworth<br />
President, RSDSA Board <strong>of</strong> Directors<br />
During this season <strong>of</strong> Thanksgiving and joy it is easy<br />
to forget those who suffer in silence from CRPS. So<br />
many go undiagnosed, untreated, undertreated,<br />
can’t afford treatment, can’t resolve conflicts, don’t<br />
get understanding or support from friends or family,<br />
don’t get insurance reimbursement, get despondent<br />
and try suicide. I want <strong>you</strong> to know how much Jim<br />
Broatch ,our executive director, Gayle Bonavita our<br />
administrative assistant, our entire board, and our<br />
many volunteers around the country want to help.<br />
Call us if <strong>you</strong> need help or if <strong>you</strong> know someone<br />
else who does…help us with that first step <strong>of</strong><br />
communication.<br />
We are a small organization, but we have grown and<br />
we are very determined to continue with our mission<br />
<strong>of</strong> support, information, and search for effective<br />
treatments and a cure as soon as possible. Most<br />
who interact with RSDSA have little sense <strong>of</strong> the<br />
board <strong>of</strong> directors or our two wonderful full-time<br />
employees. Their <strong>thank</strong>s is in what they accomplish<br />
for <strong>you</strong> and the organization. During this season, I<br />
would like to <strong>thank</strong> them and urge all <strong>of</strong> <strong>you</strong> who read<br />
this to <strong>thank</strong> them in any way <strong>you</strong> find appropriate<br />
as well. All <strong>of</strong> our Board members serve as day-today<br />
workers for RSDSA, not just members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
governing body. Most <strong>of</strong> all I would like <strong>you</strong> to know<br />
how very motivated they are to succeed and help find<br />
a cure. Take hope in their work and the work <strong>of</strong> the<br />
many researchers who now work in the field <strong>of</strong> CRPS.<br />
Last, I would like <strong>you</strong> to know that we are going in<br />
some new directions to help. Rather than simply<br />
reviewing research proposals submitted to us, we are<br />
now funding a long-term research proposal with the<br />
help <strong>of</strong> a very generous benefactor family and we are<br />
raising money to fund conferences to help establish<br />
the best data about incidents <strong>of</strong> CRPS and best<br />
treatment approaches. As we expand our mission<br />
we need <strong>you</strong>r financial support and <strong>you</strong>r volunteer<br />
support more than ever. Please help us provide more<br />
help and research…talk it up with people <strong>you</strong> know,<br />
especially friends and family. Please accept our best<br />
wishes for a jo<strong>you</strong>s holiday season. n<br />
Join RSDSA<br />
People who join RSDSA are not content<br />
to be victims, but take an active role in our goals <strong>of</strong><br />
education, awareness, and research. Our members<br />
are people like <strong>you</strong>-patients, family and friends,<br />
healthcare pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, attorneys, and business<br />
people who understand the devastating effects <strong>of</strong><br />
CRPS and want to make a difference. Your RSDSA<br />
membership is important. There is power in numbers<br />
and we would like to see our membership, currently<br />
more than 7,000, double so that when we talk to<br />
the legislature, the pharmaceutical companies,<br />
and medical associations, our voice is strong and<br />
our message is clear.<br />
As a member, <strong>you</strong> have a forum to communicate <strong>you</strong>r<br />
concerns, share <strong>you</strong>r experiences, and learn about<br />
the most recent advances in treatment and research.<br />
Fill our the membership application and join today!<br />
Yes! I would like to be a member<br />
and support RSDSA<br />
❑ Patient (US) $15 ❑ Patient (outside US) $25<br />
❑ Can’t afford membership<br />
Name<br />
Address<br />
❑ Additional donation<br />
City State Zip<br />
Phone<br />
email<br />
❑ Please send me information on starting a support group.<br />
For credit card orders, please complete:<br />
❑ Visa ❑ MasterCard ❑ <strong>America</strong>n Express<br />
Card Number<br />
exp. Date<br />
Signature<br />
Please make check or money order in $US payable to<br />
RSDSA. Mail <strong>you</strong>r check with this form to:<br />
RSDSA, 99 Cherry Street, PO Box 502, Milford, CT, 06460<br />
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