BRIDGEFEST 2008!!
We have just returned from the 4th Annual
Bridgefest held at Mackinaw
City, Michigan.
The weekend was hotter than normal but still absolutely beautiful.
While the turnout for the 51st annual Labor Day Bridgewalk (across the
Mackinaw Bridge) was attended by approximately
1/2 the walkers of last
year's anniversary - the National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation had its
best year ever for
spreading awareness and raising funds.
Shortly before traveling north, I was contacted by a wonderful young
woman from Green Bay, Wisconsin, Deanna Sundstrom, who is battling her
LMS while teaching HS math. Deanna and her beautiful
family started
their own t-shirt and bandana sales and they have raised over $3,400
for the NLMSF for research of
LMS.
This amazing woman walked the Mackinaw Bridge with her team of 21
(maybe more!) all wearing her signature
shirts that say "LMS - take a
hike" - what a sight it was to see this great group of walkers coming
toward
our tents. You may think this isn't so amazing but Deanna is
currently in treatment with chemo!!!! She made
it the full 5.2 miles
with such great supporters as her daughters, other family members and
friends.
Deanna's husband and
some other friends couldn't make it
because they were working and walking at 2 other Labor Day walks in
Wisconsin.
On Labor Day, there were approximately 150 people who walked
in
Green Bay and approximately 35 people in Norway. In addition, Deanna
received emails from 43 different
people who were unable to attend
the walk yet worn the purple bandanas (in support) on Labor Day.
It was certainly our treat to meet Deanna
and her supporters.
Theresa Miller and her sis, Vicky (aka -NLMSF -American Idol), walked
the bridge again
with Theresa raising over $800 for the NLMSF and LMS
research. And they both still had enough energy to go shopping
downtown afterward!!
Our tent workers were busy and barely had time to sit down because
there were so many
people wanting patches, t-shirts, water and so much
more! Board Member, George Peters, passed out box after box
of cards
with LMS information and ribbons. Some of the walkers told him that
they didn't want another ribbon
because they have saved their cards
from last year. That was a great thing to hear proving that our cards
are not
considered trash but kept by those who receive them from
George.
Our thanks to all who attended and supported
the 4th Annual
Bridgefest..........early numbers look like over $5600 was raised
(including Deanna's and Theresa'
s contributions). We will have
pictures posted soon on our website at www.nlmsf.org.
Looking forward to next
year!!
Pictures will be posted soon.
Joni Fixel (MI)
ULMS 7/03
NED - 5 yrs - surgery
only
VP NLMSF
visit our website @ www.nlmsf.org
The NLMSF is one of 3 non-profit organizations allowed to have tents at this event.
We would like to thank the Village of Mackinaw City for their continued support for
the awareness and research for the treatments and a cure for LMS.
