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. |