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What ASAP Kids Are Up To.. |
| ASAP is privileged to have dedicated, hard-working
and enthusiastic kids on its team! Some of these children and teens
have syringomyelia or Chiari themselves, some have a family member
affected, and some have no personal connection to the disorder but
wanted to adopt the cause. |
| Tommy Lyons, a junior high student in New Jersey, chose ASAP for his
school-sponsored take action program. He doesnt have the disorder
nor does anyone in his family, but he organized several different
awareness and fundraising events, including a school dance and a
dress down day, among other things. He donated $1,000 to ASAP and
educated many people about SM and CM in the process. |
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Kate Webb, 15, is another amazing kid
who has been living with SM and CM her whole life. Her efforts in
raising awareness for the disorders earned her a feature story in
the May issue of Girls Life magazine. Last year she asked her city
council to declare a Syringomyelia and Chiari Malformation
Awareness Day. They went one step further and declared an awareness
week in her home town in New Jersey. The city organized daily events
to raise awareness and funds for the disorders. Kate raised a total
of $4,000 in one week! She has continued these efforts this year at
health fairs and has sold hand-made cards at a street fair. Kate has
even more planned for the rest of the year.
When twelve-year-old Jason Sharkey from South Florida found out his
father had syringomyelia, he looked to the Internet for information.
After finding ASAP on the web, he decided on his mitzvahor good
deedfor his upcoming bar mitzvah: raising awareness and research
money for the disorder. Jason went door to door, passed out
literature and collected $1,000 in research funds. Hes not stopping
there. He has plans to start a support group for other families
affected by SM/CM, and his family is working on more fundraising
projects for the future. |
| Eleven-year-old Holly Patterson, also of Florida, was diagnosed with
SM at the age of 2. After 12 surgeries, she continues to live with
daily pain. As sixth grade came to a close this spring, Holly
decided it was time to tell her classmates about her challenges. She
and her friend, Morgan, spoke to all the classes about the disorder;
they even brought MRIs to show classmates. Holly has raised $1,100
for her Slice of Research fundraiser. |
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Baylie Owen, a seven year
old from Indiana, has been busy collecting items for ASAP to auction
at the upcoming Arlington Race For A Cure. In addition, she has
collected $1000 by doing a Write-A-Thon on behalf of ASAP. She has
also gone all the way to Washington, D.C. to speak with senators
about the need for SM/CM research funds. That is one busy first
grader!
And last but certainly not least, is Stephanie Spiroff age 13 of
Virginia. She doesnt have SM or CM, but her younger sister does.
First, she collected coins from her classmates to raise money. Then
she moved on to bigger ideasand asked her school to choose ASAP as
one of the recipients of the teachers kickball game. That event
generated $400. This past year, Stephanie started selling handmade
bookmarks with inspirational designs. Her efforts have paid off; she
sent ASAP the largest check so far$461! If you know someone who
would like a bookmark, contact Stephanie at
HelpASAP@comcast.net.
These are just a few examples of the many successful fundraisers
ASAP kids have accomplished. We are proud of each and every one of
them for being a part of Kids for a Cure Club. For more
information about this group, see the accompanying article, Kids
for a Cure, or contact the office at
info@ASAP.org
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