Dear Friends, Colleagues, Cyclists, Nurses, and Participants :
A new person or child is diagnosed with a movement disorder every 40 minutes. For all the adults, children and families stricken by this disorder — and all those who will be — the time to ACT is now. Today there are over 40 million people in North America suffering from a movement disorder — one of them being the 3rd most common — DYSTONIA.
After much thought Care4Dystonia,Inc.( C4D), has finally decided to enter the research scene as we expect major cuts to be made at the NIH, thus gaining funding will depend on the private sector- people like You and me. After thorough assessment, C4D has concluded to anticipate inevitable dystonia research funding cuts for the National Institute for Health (NIH), by undertaking private fundraising initiatives for Dystonia cure research.
Before Dystonia struck, I was a capable cyclist. I loved to ride along the Erie Canal in upstate New York and covered up to a hundred miles each week. Picking enough Black-eyed Susans to fill our household collection of Ikea Vases!
Today, I can no longer ride a bicycle, or even run. A few weeks ago I even lost the ability to walk while at work (mind you it was in the ICU setting), despite successful Deep Brain Stimulation surgery years ago. The effects of not being able to walk, frightened the wits out of me and left me lying in bed for a week.
Never a day goes by, when I do not worry about experiencing falls and the reoccurrence of symptoms that prevent my walking.
Thus, our Board has decided to launch a “Bike4Beka” 2008-9, “Cycle2Cure Dystonia” event. This special website has been developed for you, your friends, colleagues and family to be able to raise our much needed donations.
The charitable donations contributed, will be distributed to a variety of projects and researchers. Post-Graduate & Doctoral RNs, PhD.s, Neurologists and Pain specialists etc. who are focused on gene therapy, new treatment options, rodent models that display new multiple and varied forms of dystonia, new drug development and on mental health , coping skills, medication use, overall healthcare outcomes as they relate to dystonia.
Benchmark research must serve those with the multiple forms of dystonia. As a friend of C4D, we hope that you will support our new first-time initiative. It’s TIME TO ACT…
About Dystonia :
Dystonia is a group of neurological movement disorders affecting one of more parts of the body. It is characterized by involuntary and uncontrollable muscle spasms or contractions, repetitive movements, twisting, pulling, and/or tightness. This can cause painful and abnormally distorted body positions, and for some, a tremor may also be present. While the neck is the most commonly affected region, it can manifest in the face, eyes, jaw, throat, arms, hands, legs and feet. Dystonia affects men, women and children of all ages and backgrounds. There is, currently, no cure for most forms of dystonia. Instead, doctors (particularly Movement Disorder Neurologists) specify medications, surgery, physical therapy and alternative treatments to reduce or eliminate symptoms.
Sponsorship opportunities are available.Regardless of the sponsorship amount donated, all sponsors will be recognized in our newsletter, press releases and website. Business logos are welcomed. Minimum Sponsorships being accepted are $250.00 per sponsor. If you need more information, please contact us.
Please join in this exciting effort with me!
Note : Please add another total $4,745.00 donated quietly to C4D in check forms to reach our current total amount of funds raised to date ( 20.jan.2009 Updated )
We are honored to have Mentor Biologics serve as a Sponsor of this Event.
