It's That Time: Birthday Donations to Rowe's Research Runners

Dear Friends and Family:

It's that time of year again: Rowe's Research Runners and my birthday all in ONE month. :) 

That means I've dyed my hair blue (that was SO much fun!), and I'm here to ask you to donate to the cause that is near and dear to my heart. The mission of Rowe's Research Runners (RRR) is to fundraise, increase awareness, and facilitate connections for people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), dysautonomia and related illnesses. 

Our big event is less than two weeks away, on October 20^th. (It's not too late to register! Click HERE for local event details.)

Thank you to everyone who has joined the team, been fundraising, volunteered for the event, purchased a t-shirt or donated!

Here's a little quote from Dr. Rowe about last year's event, which raised over $20,000!

“Emily and her team in State College have been awesome,” writes Dr. Rowe. “With the donations they and our Baltimore group raised from last year’s walk, I was able to hire a summer research student who herself is a patient in the clinic, and who is interested in a medical career. That student worked on the data analysis and literature reviews for two papers in the past 3 months, and helped with the design and planning of the next phase of our work. She brought a welcome infusion of youth, energy, and computer savvy. In a field without much federal funding for clinical research, the funds from the walk are really important, allowing us to keep a research team together so we can continue to make progress on improving the treatment of potentially disabling conditions like orthostatic intolerance and ME/CFS.”

I have been a direct beneficiary of Dr. Rowe's ground-breaking research. All I want for my birthday, for my life, and for the rest of those living with these illnesses is to see forward progress in research so that we can all live our fullest lives. Because of Dr. Rowe, I'll be spending my birthday week doing things I could never have imagined doing even five years ago.

This week, I'll be going out to dinner with my boyfriend, having dinner with Dad and Abbie, heading with Mom to a nearby small town to try out the new gluten-free bakery/cafe, and seeing Joshua Bell in concert (and going to the reception afterwards to meet him!). 

Every day that I am able to do things without suffering all of the time, I owe to Dr. Rowe. Please join me in celebration of my birthday and the health that I do have by donating in my honor to Dr. Rowe.

We have so much left to do. People like me simply dream of living a fuller, higher quality of life. I would love to be able to function at a level higher than 60% and this cannot be done without the help of people like you and the dedication of the handful of specialists, like Dr. Rowe.

Dr. Rowe has been churning out research much faster, thanks to the funding and help he has been getting from YOU, my generous donors. 

Please remember that EVERY single dollar you donate goes directly to research. You can see from the quote above how impactful your donations are.

Our goal this year? To raise $25,000 towards research. Our team has currently raised $11,961 (between Baltimore and State College).

Please click HERE to donate.

If you prefer to mail a check, you can mail it to:

·       The Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine
ATTN: Chelsea Kling & JHCC Race
750 E. Pratt St.
Suite 1700
Baltimore, MD 21202

***Please make sure to designate your donation to both Emily Steffensmeier and Rowe's Research Runners.

Thank you in advance for your generosity. 

Onward and Upward,

Emily

P.S. I sent out a version of this in email, but apparently it went to some people's junk mail (whaattt?!), so I'm posting it as a blog as well. :)

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