Over the last six years literally hundreds of patients and supporters have helped FSR raise awareness of sarcoidosis and funds to support much-needed research.

We are proud to acknowledge a few of these individuals through the special rotating banner on our Web site. Each of them has contributed in some significant way to our success and we thank them. We call them our Friends, but they could easily be called Sarcoidosis Superstars.

2009

Teresa Faris
Teresa shares that "sarcoidosis crashed into my life in October 2006. Up until that point I had never heard of it. I have sarcoidosis in my lungs, lymph nodes, liver, kidney, intestines, saliva glands, sinus, spleen (removed), eyes. But Bernie Mac Said it best: I ain't afraid of you."  She raised over $1000 in 2007 and 2008 as a member of Team Sarcoidosis in the Hike for Lung Health.

Jen Foronjy
Jen's husband, Bill Foronjy, was diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis in 2002 after volunteering as a first responder at ground zero in his home state of New York on 9/11 (which was also his 30th birthday). He died unexpectedly of complications related to sarcoidosis on her birthday December 17, 2007.  Jen joined Team Sarcoidosis at the 2008 Hike for Lung Health and raised more than $6000 to benefit FSR in Bill's honor.

Grady Harrison
VAM USA, a manufacturing company based in Houston, encouraged its employees and friends to get in shape by challenging them to participate in the Houston Half-marathon or Marathon. Around that time, we lost a dear friend to Sarcoidosis, Pauline Vasiliaskas, the wife of one of our Canadian colleagues. Raising funds for Sarcoidosis Research came naturally to our company as we wanted to dedicate our efforts on the race course to a worthwhile cause. Grady Harrison has been an inspiration organizing this annual event which couldn't be done without him. He has dedicated many long hours and has motivated many employees & friends to run for this great cause.

Kirk Mease
Mr. Mease is a neurosarcoidosis patient and Head Golf Professional at Wellshire Golf Club, who is active in the Denver Sarcoidosis Awareness Support Group.  In September 2006 and 2007, Mr. Mease organized 'Golf in the Darc for Sarc' a glow ball tournament which raised more than $10,000 to support development of a new brochure on neurosarcoidosis which will be available from FSR in the Fall of 2007.

Amanda Nigro
Amanda lost her father to chronic pulmonary sarcoidosis on June 17, 2007 at the age of 58. He was diagnosed when she was just 3 years old, but through much of the rest of his life he was treated as a medical oddity. Her family saw firsthand the devastating effects of this disease and learned how little the public and even the medical community know about it. She raised more than $2000 in loving memory of her amazing and courageous father Robert at the 2008 Hike for Lung Health.

Karen Russell
A Harvard educated attorney and a TV legal analyst in Seattle, who appears on CNN, MSNBC and CourtTV to debate national issues, both Ms. Russell and her father, famed NBA player Bill Russell, have sarcoidosis.  In addition to recording a Public Service Announcement for the Foundation, she served as Co-Emcee for the KISS Chicago 2007 fundraising event held in Chicago on February 3, 2007.

Pauline Vasiliaskas
In November 2004 at the age of 42, Pauline's life was taken suddenly due to undiagnosed cardiac sarcoidosis. This wonderful lady gave everything of herself to friends, family and her local community through countless volunteer hours. She left behind her pride and joy in two beautiful daughters who have found the courage to continue on with their lives.  Her warmth, love, laughter and strength are missed by those who loved her.  Since 2007, Esther Lewis and Grady Harrison have organized annual tributes which raised more than $30,000 to benefit the Foundation.

Anjan Chatterji
Anjan joined Team Sarcoidosis at the 2008 Hike for Lung Health and raised more than $3000 to benefit the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research.

If you would like to nominate someone for recognition on the FSR Web site through our Friends program, please contact the Foundation.