ALS - Lou Gehrig’s And Giveaway Updates

What is ALS? It's a tragic disease that once you learn about it, you'll want to do more to help those who suffer from it. Here to give her experience and bring about awareness, is Lyra Totten-Naylor. Thank you for sharing your story.



Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a mouthful for anyone, especially those who have it. Three and a half years after learning about it, I still can’t say it. In conversations, having noted a number of confused faces even when using the initials ALS, I quickly add the words that draw recognition, “Lou Gehrig’s.”

My father-in-law, Dave, was a die-hard Detroit Tigers fan who hated the NY Yankees with a passion. Being diagnosed with a disease best associated with the Yankee’s Iron Horse was just one of the many indignities he handled with optimism and grace.

Dave received his diagnosis of ALS in September 2007 at the age of 65. This is ten years beyond the average age of diagnosis, although some people are diagnosed as early as their twenties. Having retired from the University of Cincinnati just the month before, Dave dreamed of taking an extended holiday in France, and playing catch with his four grandchildren. ALS stole those dreams.

Doctors and researchers don’t know precisely what causes ALS. There is small genetic component, but the overwhelming majority of cases are “sporadic,” meaning they can affect anyone, anywhere. The national ALS Association helps raise funds to find out why ALS occurs and what can be done to ease the symptoms or at least slow the progress of this always fatal disease.

No-one gets better. My father in law approached each day as his last “good day,” knowing each day his condition grew worse. Each day, his body grew weaker. Each day, the neurons that normally transmit the message to move from the brain to the muscles died. Each day brought a lessening of the ability to control movement until the muscles atrophied. This occurs not just in the large muscles groups of the legs, arms and back, but also the smaller, critical ones that control speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing.

Because ALS does not weaken the brain, the patient is painfully aware of becoming a prisoner in his or her body. Each time we visited (we lived several states apart) he could participate less, disappearing to his room to watch travel videos as the rest of us ate a meal. It was hard knowing my daughter helped him with card games not just because she liked spending time with Grandpa, but also that he could no longer play the physical aspect of games without help. But that sorrow was nothing compared to the sadness in his face once he could no longer return her hugs. Many ALS patents understandably grow depressed. I won’t forget carefully listening as Dave told me life lost its joy once he could no longer eat.

Less than a year has passed since my father-in-law’s death and it’s still hard that a man so full of vigor just months before his diagnosis is now gone from our lives.
I am grateful for the work done by the ALSA at both the national and local levels. Local ALS chapters provide day-to-day support those families living with ALS. Until a cure is found, they provide vital assistance to those most directly affected by ALS. Let’s hope that day comes soon. ALS is a terrible way to die.

Donation link ALSA


Lyra Totten-Naylor


Giveaways:

Erotic Romance Author Sarah Balance EBook copy of Run to You

Indie Author Kally Sten eBook Fangs and Lullabies

Indie Author Dana Taylor eBook Devil Moon




Giveaways for Breast Cancer, ALS and Bone Marrow Donation will be announced June 2nd due to the holiday.

Thanks for your patience.
Allure Van Sanz

Autoimmune Diseases (Autism &Fibro Winners)

I was at the foot doctor, getting a shot in my heel for a swollen foot that wouldn't calm itself. While there, my doctor noticed a rash on my face that surrounded my eyes and nose. "I'm not trying to alarm you," he said, "but I would really like to test you for Lupus."

Not trying to alarm me?? I went home straight away and did some research and I FREAKED. Reading the list of symptoms on WebMD, I was certain, within seconds, my foot doctor was correct. I had Lupus.

Luckily, I found out later, after many, many tests, I have Fibromyalgia and that it mirrors the symptoms of Lupus, even down to the rash I can get on my face. I still have to go through tests every year to make sure I'm not developing one of SEVERAL autoimmune diseases. (I'll include the daunting list shortly.)

A wonderful woman I know has Lupus. She's lost parts of herself, most recently ALL of her teeth are gone. She's in her early twenties.

I haven't spoken to her in a while, having moved away, but she's constantly in my thoughts, and I ask after her whenever I talk to my MIL. She's the reason I added this cause to May Awareness. At least, the biggest part.

I also know a young man with Vitiligo, which means his skin loses pigmentation. Blotches of white takes over his beautiful bronze flesh, turns his hair white one patch at a time and makes him look older than he is. At this stage, he's slowly watching it develop, not knowing how to stop it.

Before you blow this condition off as no big deal, think about the emotional ramifications of your face turning colors...and what people will think when they see your face, your arms, your legs, and even your privates all blotched. Can you honestly say you wouldn't be startled to see a visual discoloration in a private area you weren't expecting...how about on someone's face? Could you look passed the multiple colors or would you wonder what they had and if you could catch it? You'd be normal to do so, but it's those thoughts that haunt those with this condition.

Autoimmune diseases are everywhere. Chances are you or someone you love will discover you have one of these conditions at some point. Don't believe me? Check out this list provided by American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.

List of Autoimmune and Autoimmune-Related Diseases

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
Acute necrotizing hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis
Addison's disease
Agammaglobulinemia
Allergic asthma
Allergic rhinitis
Alopecia areata
Amyloidosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Anti-GBM/Anti-TBM nephritis
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
Autoimmune angioedema
Autoimmune aplastic anemia
Autoimmune dysautonomia
Autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune hyperlipidemia
Autoimmune immunodeficiency
Autoimmune inner ear disease (AIED)
Autoimmune myocarditis
Autoimmune pancreatitis
Autoimmune retinopathy
Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ATP)
Autoimmune thyroid disease
Autoimmune urticaria
Axonal & neuronal neuropathies
Balo disease
Behcet’s disease
Bullous pemphigoid
Cardiomyopathy
Castleman disease
Celiac disease
Chagas disease
Chronic fatigue syndrome**
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Chronic recurrent multifocal ostomyelitis (CRMO)
Churg-Strauss syndrome
Cicatricial pemphigoid/benign mucosal pemphigoid
Crohn’s disease
Cogans syndrome
Cold agglutinin disease
Congenital heart block
Coxsackie myocarditis
CREST disease
Essential mixed cryoglobulinemia
Demyelinating neuropathies
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Dermatomyositis
Devic's disease (neuromyelitis optica)
Discoid lupus
Dressler’s syndrome
Endometriosis
Eosinophilic fasciitis
Erythema nodosum
Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis
Evans syndrome
Fibromyalgia**
Fibrosing alveolitis
Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis)
Glomerulonephritis
Goodpasture’s syndrome
Graves' disease
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Hashimoto's encephalitis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hemolytic anemia
Henoch-Schonlein purpura
Herpes gestationis
Hypogammaglobulinemia
Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
IgA nephropathy
IgG4-related sclerosing disease
Immunoregulatory lipoproteins
Inclusion body myositis
Insulin-dependent diabetes (type1)
Interstitial cystitis
Juvenile arthritis
Juvenile diabetes
Kawasaki syndrome
Lambert-Eaton syndrome
Leukocytoclastic vasculitis
Lichen planus
Lichen sclerosus
Ligneous conjunctivitis
Linear IgA disease (LAD)
Lupus (SLE)
Lyme disease, chronic
Meniere’s disease
Microscopic polyangiitis
Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD)
Mooren’s ulcer
Mucha-Habermann disease
Multiple sclerosis
Myasthenia gravis
Myositis
Narcolepsy
Neuromyelitis optica (Devic's)
Neutropenia
Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid
Optic neuritis
Palindromic rheumatism
PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus)
Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Parry Romberg syndrome
Parsonnage-Turner syndrome
Pars planitis (peripheral uveitis)
Pemphigus
Peripheral neuropathy
Perivenous encephalomyelitis
Pernicious anemia
POEMS syndrome
Polyarteritis nodosa
Type I, II, & III autoimmune polyglandular syndromes
Polymyalgia rheumatica
Polymyositis
Postmyocardial infarction syndrome
Postpericardiotomy syndrome
Progesterone dermatitis
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Psoriasis
Psoriatic arthritis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Pyoderma gangrenosum
Pure red cell aplasia
Raynauds phenomenon
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Reiter’s syndrome
Relapsing polychondritis
Restless legs syndrome
Retroperitoneal fibrosis
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sarcoidosis
Schmidt syndrome
Scleritis
Scleroderma
Sjogren's syndrome
Sperm & testicular autoimmunity
Stiff person syndrome
Subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE)
Susac's syndrome
Sympathetic ophthalmia
Takayasu’s arteritis
Temporal arteritis/Giant cell arteritis
Thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
Tolosa-Hunt syndrome
Transverse myelitis
Ulcerative colitis
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD)
Uveitis
Vasculitis
Vesiculobullous dermatosis
Vitiligo
Wegener’s granulomatosis
**NOTE Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue are listed, not because they are autoimmune, but because many persons who suffer from them have associated autoimmune disease(s)


Can you believe that massive list? It should scare you a little. But what I really hope it does, is move you into making a donation. ::smiles:: In a perfect world, no one would have to experience any of these conditions...maybe we can help make that a reality. ::hugs::

Thank you so much for coming today, and please consider donating to:

AARDA American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc. <~~~DONATION LINK

Today's Giveaways:


Romance and Erotic Romance Author Allure Van Sanz EBook (Your choice)
Indie Author Dana Taylor giving away a copy of her EBook Devil Moon
Author Elaine Cantrell giving away an EBook copy of A New Dream



FIBRO WINNERS:

Allure Van Sanz EBook (your choice of Noble Romance book)or T-shirt (Winner's choice) - Molli

Allure Van Sanz EBook (your choice of Noble Romance book) - Susan

Allure Van Sanz T-shirt - Bonnie F.

Erotic Author KevaD eBook Sunday Awakening - Dena Celeste


AUTISM WINNERS:

Romance Author Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy’s Paranormal Romance Love Tattoo - Patti Shenberger

Author Rachel Firasek is giving away a signed print copy of Piper’s Fury - Kat Jameson

Quilting Genius Helen from Cute and Cuddly Quilts is giving away a free small quilt (pictured) - Suzie Quint

Trip Around The World Mega Blog Hop: Ticket to Paradise

Welcome to Tonto National Park! I'll be your guide, Allure Van Sanz. Come follow me on a journey of self-exploration inspired by the natural beauty of this incredible destination.



For New Years, my man took me to the perfect spot. Or I should say, the most perfect spot for me to start a new year.

The first book I ever wrote for publication was titled From the Ruins. The story is about a fictitious me and a fictitious version of my man, far away at some ruins in search of an injured snake. The ruins possess the pair and turns their "friendship" into a hot relationship filled with erotic exploration. I remember how excited I was when I got the contract for this book. A whole new world opened up for me--only, I'd forgotten all about it until I stared up at the ruins in Tonto. There...way...way up at the top of this mountain (or maybe just a really big hill) was the remains of a long dead civilization, like in my book. I *had* to make the climb and see it.

The view was fantastic, the breathtaking beauty making me all the more determined to get my fat-butt up to the top and look out over what I'd seen on the way.


Once I was at the top, wheezing and vowing to exercise more, I had this incredible moment of wonder. There I stood, in front of the ruins, becoming possessed by the history seeping into my skin.




I couldn't stop touching the rocks. Wherever it seemed logical for someone to rest their hand or lean against the stone, I did it, looking to put my own timeless spiritual mark on the place. I really love places like Tonto. Full of nature, history, and breathtaking views. I plan to go back now that it isn't winter, and climb a few of the lesser known trails to get to some of the lesser tourist-y parts. I'll let you know how it goes.

GIVEAWAY: This week, I'll be giving away vacation packages! A book to read on the plane (one of your choosing from my Noble Romance novels) and a T-shirt to wear!

All you have to do is tell me where you spent your favorite vacation, and where you'd like to go most. Two answers to qualify. I'd love to have you follow my blog and friend me on Facebook, but you don't need to do that to win. It should would be great though. LOL I always need new people to babble to and chat with. Facebook Me!



Thank you for allowing me to show you around Tonto.

Next Blog on the tour is: Sherry Gloag

If you came to my blog and you're wondering where to start the hop/tour, and what it is, please visit Kristine Cheney.

Or follow these:
TOUR RULES:

1) HAVE FUN!!!

2) INVITE ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!! SPREAD THE WORD!!!

3) THIS TOUR STARTS: Monday, May 16, at Midnight (Arizona Time)
THIS TOUR ENDS: Monday, May 23, at Midnight (Arizona Time)

4) MEET AND MINGLE WITH ALL THE AUTHORS! EXPERIENCE A NEW DESTINATION AT EVERY STOP! PARTICIPATE IN EVERY BLOG CONTEST AND BE ENTERED FOR CHANCES TO WIN MULTIPLE PRIZES! EVERY BLOG VISITED IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO WIN!!

5) PARTICIPATION AT EVERY BLOG IS RECOMMENDED. BUT REMEMBER: THE MORE YOU HOP, THE MORE CHANCES YOU HAVE TO WIN. EVERY AUTHOR IS WAITING TO MEET AND INTERACT WITH YOU, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO SHOW EVERY AUTHOR SOME LOVE!

6) DID I MENTION TO HAVE FUN? WHOO! HOO!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Fibromyalgia and Diabetes Winners

I've mentioned before, and I'll say it again. I have Fibromyalgia. I wrote often in a blog of mine about Fibro and the ways to combat it and improve every day living. I do really well, but I won't lie, every day is a struggle to keep up my good pain days. I have pain every day. The trick is in managing pain. I have a chemical sensitivity that keeps me from taking pain medication, so I've had to take some drastic measures. I have to push through pain every day to workout. But working out keeps me feeling energized. It's how I'm able to write, clean, and basically get out of bed every morning, but it's a constant battle against not only pain, but lack of ambition, tiredness, and a constant urge to give up. My brain is telling me I hurt too much to do anything and I have to argue with it. LOL

Some of the crazier symptoms of Fibromyalgia (Like random pain for no reason isn't crazy enough):

-small or non-existent "moons" on the fingernails while thumbnails have dramatic crescents.
-delayed reactions to pain. The first time I knew something wasn't right was when I pulled my heavy carry-on baggage out of the overhead compartment, and my arm felt like it was going to fall off two days later.
-short term memory impairment. In the past, my family used to think I was joking when I'd go into the kitchen for something and stand their for five minutes, unable to remember what brought me in there. This happens to everyone sometimes. It happens to me about 20 times per day.
-skin sensitivity. When I shave my legs, it feels like I'm shaving off a layer of skin. Sometimes I can't wear anything to bed and I can't have the covers on parts of my body. If there is a crumb in my bed, I feel it like it's a rock. Fibro Mates and I call this the "Princess and the Pea" syndrome.

"No Way! Constant pain and weird symptoms? You must be making it up. You must be bored, or looking for attention...etc." People, for years, have made fun of the diagnosis of Fibro and though the stigma is lessening, it's still there. My current Neuro is sure that I have a birth defect that's as of yet been discovered. But I feel doctors who aren't ready to accept what's in front of them, are really missing the mark.

Allow me to introduce you to another sufferer. Virginia Kentner, wife of author David Kentner. She was kind enough to do a quick write-up of HER experience with Fibro.

"Fibromyalgia…I was diagnosed with this disease in 2002 after many tests to rule out other diseases. I originally went to the doctor because I was not able to pick up a cup of coffee without severe pain in my left arm. I went thru a lot of tests before it was correctly diagnosed. When I went to the rheumatologist, he knew within ten minutes of examining me, including touching my pressure points that it was indeed fibro. I am not sure when I first got it but I know that I suffered with a lot of pain throughout my middle age.



Being diagnosed was the easy part, now what to do about the disease. The doctor put me on Celebrex and that seemed to help for about 2 years. Then the pain kept getting worse and when I would go to the Doctor he just kept telling me there was nothing more that he could do for me, so depression set in for about a year.



Along with fibro I then started having back problems (herniated disc) and sciatica. I went to another doctor to get my disc taken care of which involved injections to fight pain, but with such intense pain he finally prescribed a fentynal pain patch, which not only helped my back, but also helped with my fribro. There are mornings that I have a very hard time getting going, and sometimes when I get up from sitting I have to make sure my legs are as ready to go as I am. If I miss my pain medications I cannot function, as the pain is so intense that all I can think about is the pain until I get some kind of relief. Other factors that will send me into a fibro attack is stress, activities and weather (I cannot handle any cold…weather, wind, air conditioning, ice packs) those factors make me want to stay on the couch all day and do nothing at all except sleep to escape the pain.

I believe that it is inherited since my Mother (never diagnosed with Fibro) had many of the same symptoms and several of my sisters and brothers show the same complications (I am the youngest of twelve), some have been diagnosed and others just never went to doctor to be technically diagnosed.

Another major side effect of fibro is called fibro fog, which affects my memory and concentration. I know at my age that it gets harder to remember names, dates, places, etc but the fibro fog makes it more intense.

Another major side effect is sense of feeling, sometimes it hurts to just have someone hug me or to let my pets sit on my lap, and holding a baby has to be limited since it feels like you have held them (your arms just ache) for an hour and it’s only been fifteen minutes.

Another side effect is the clothes that you can wear, nothing over the head cuz it hurts too much to put on, no blue jean material because it makes your legs ache twice as much, layers of warm, soft clothing (I wear insulated underwear seven months out of twelve), nothing too tight that will make you ache more.

Another side effect is that it has basically changed your whole life and taken over all aspects of what you used to be."


Thank you Virginia, for sharing your story with us today.

If you'd like to help lessen the pain of millions of women, please consider donating to:

American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association <~~~~Donation link!



Giveaways:
Allure Van Sanz EBook (your choice of Noble Books)
Allure Van Sanz T-shirt,
Erotic Author KevaD eBook Sunday Awakening



Winners of Giveaway for Diabetes: (Please email me at allurevansanz@aol.com)

Allure Van Sanz EBook (Your choice of Noble Books) - Sarah J McNeal
Author Lisa Beth Darling’s EBook Dream Weaver - Debbie Laurie
Author Fiona McGier’s print copy of Secret Love - Lori McPhetridge

Congratulations. And thank you for your continued support.

All my best,
Allure

Type 2 Diabetes And Weekend Winners

I hated the yucky orange stuff!

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I remember guzzling down this gross orange flat soda tasting drink so that I could get tested for gestational diabetes. Pffft. Like I'd EVER have that. I wasn't fat, I was pregnant and I wasn't even that big.

I was quite ignorant of my body back then, and I learned quickly how little I knew about food and health, and most importantly, diabetes.

As you probably suspect, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and the last 5 months of my pregnancy I had to stick my fingers five times a day to take samples of my blood. I visited a nutritionist to figure out how to manage my diet, and though I did quite well, I admit I cried a lot. ALL of my cravings had to go unanswered--equal to the withdrawals you get from quitting smoking--and with the addition of raging, crazy pregnant hormones.

What a nightmare, I thought. I made it all the way to delivery and as soon as my daughter came out...I ordered pizza an hour later. Phew...my ordeal was over.

Only...it wasn't. Because I was gestationally diabetic, I will now be at a higher risk for Type 2 Diabetes, which means I can't go back to the way I used to eat--not if I care about my health. Go ahead and have that junk food, Allure...but you'll only increase your risk. Yikes! I swear I hear that every time I find myself in the drive thru and I can practically see the risk-o-meter go up a notch after every piece of pizza.

I thought changing the way I ate would the end of the world. Look at all the things I can't eat anymore--and I LOVE to eat.

I realized I was looking at my life's situation all wrong. There are so many people out there, struggling to keep Diabetes from consuming them, and I'm lamenting about not being able to eat pizza whenever I want?

I truly believe this country suffers from food ignorance. We have no idea what we put in our mouths, we just eat what tastes best. Not everyone of course, but a HUGE chunk of people. I was included in that group until I decided to change.

Of course I love cheeseburgers and pizza. I've eaten them so much, I've trained myself to crave them. Now I'm working on training myself to crave good foods. I'm not saying I have to swear off everything (though one day I really do want to get to a point where I saw "ewww greasy pizza"--not there yet) but moderation is key. We don't treat ourselves occasionally, we turn treats into a daily staple.

Why did this post turn into a food rant? Good question. Let me show you some stats.

From CDC and Wikipedia:

A number of lifestyle factors are known to be important to the development of type 2 diabetes. In one study, those who had high levels of physical activity, a healthy diet, did not smoke, and consumed alcohol in moderation had an 82% lower rate of diabetes. When a normal weight was included, the rate was 89% lower. In this study, a healthy diet was defined as one high in fiber, with a high polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio, and a lower mean glycemic index. Obesity has been found to contribute to approximately 55% of cases of type 2 diabetes, and decreasing consumption of saturated fats and trans fatty acids while replacing them with unsaturated fats may decrease the risk. The increased rate of childhood obesity between the 1960s and 2000s is believed to have led to the increase in type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents.



Like heart disease, for those who have inherited the issue, lifetime maintenance is VERY important. Peer pressure, lack of nutritional options, and frustration can cause diabetes patients to push their boundaries. I think if we were all a little more aware of diabetes and how to eat healthier, we could get one step closer to minimizing the "spread". One big step is having caloric counts/sugar counts on menus in every restaurant.

Go ahead, ask to look at the nutrition information on a menu at a popular chain restaurant. Some still don't have a breakdown menu available, but for the ones that do...remember...on average at 1500-2000 calorie diet is considered good. The truth might scare the crap out of you.

Now...there are several more issues with Diabetes than just diet, but for me, diet is the one thing I've learned about and can speak about. I don't have diabetes, and I don't feel comfortable doing a write-up on all the different symptoms, emotional affects, etc. Please, PLEASE read up on diabetes and consider donating to the following charity for research:

Diabetes Action <~~~~~Donation Link

Action for Healthy Kids <~~~~Donation Link


Giveaways:


Allure Van Sanz EBook (Your choice of Noble Releases)
Author Lisa Beth Darling’s EBook Dream Weaver
Author Fiona McGier’s print copy of Secret Love

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment. Donations are not required, though appreciated.


St. Jude's Winners: (Please contact me at allurevansanz@aol.com so I can set you up with your goodies.)

Allure Van Sanz T-shirt - J.A. Beard

Indie YA author Amanda Brice giving away her YA EBook CODENAME: DANCER - Valerie Mann

Children’s Author Margaret Rose giving away a free, autographed copy of her children’s book First Spring. - Maeve


Heart Health Winners:

Allure Van Sanz T-shirt - blackroze

Erotic Romance Author Brindle Chase EBook Trading Up - Haven

Erotic Romance Author Brindle Chase EBook The Grass is Always Greener - Dean Y


Again, thank you all for coming and showing your support. Please considering Tweeting the link, sharing on facebook, and sending out to your loops and friends through email. Help spread the awareness, and hey...free stuff!

Heart Health

When I was thirteen years old, I walked into my house after being called out of school early, and was shocked to see my mother in my kitchen with red, swollen eyes. I had that moment of panic where I wanted someone to tell me what was going on right now! I didn't want them to stall and think of a way to break the news to me.

My uncle Butch died of a heart attack, they'd said. He'd had them before and was on medication to prevent more, and he seemed to be doing well. But I think, like many others before him, he thought medication would be enough. He'd be fine. It proved to be untrue. He was 45.

I kept thinking, if I'd been older, if I'd been able to bully him around and make him take care of himself, I could've saved him. Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one in my family with bad habits. My grandmother, years later, passed away. Her horrible eating habits coupled with her smoking habit took her earlier than we'd all thought. A few years later, my second uncle passed away. A triple bypass bought him some time, but in the end, poor eating, alcohol and smoking took him too young. He was 55.

My grandfather was the last, so far, to be taken.

As I look at my mother--the last of my family on her side--I see all of the mistakes her brothers and parents made reoccurring in her, and I'm determined to eradicate them not just from her life, but from mine.

To change bad habits, you first have to figure out what they are. Of course we all know that smoking and excessive drinking are bad for the heart, but there's a lot of things we do every day (or don't do) that increases our risk of heart disease. I implore all of you to follow the link to discover the best way to proceed with your life in a heart healthy way!

Now what about heart health for children? Here are some facts taken from American Heart Association:

Thousands of infants born each year have congenital cardiovascular defects. Of those who have these defects,

4–10 percent have atrioventricular septal defect.
8–11 percent have coarctation of the aorta.
9–14 percent have tetralogy of Fallot.
10–11 percent have transposition of the great arteries.
14–16 percent have ventricular septal defects.
4–8 percent have hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Other children will develop acquired heart disease. This includes...

Arrhythmias.
Cardiomyopathies.
Kawasaki disease.
Rheumatic fever.
Familial hypercholesterolemia will affect the future of an unknown but probably large number of children.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) with its myocarditis.

This all means there are children out there whose little hearts can't support them and we need research and better medication, as well as better education for all.

In honor of this, I'm asking you, my friends, peers, and new acquaintances, to donate to these great causes to further research and extend the reaches of heart health education.

American Heart Association
Children's Heart Link


Giveaways:

Allure Van Sanz T-shirt
Erotic Romance Author Brindle Chase EBook Trading Up
Erotic Romance Author Brindle Chase EBook The Grass is Always Greener

In order to qualify for these gifts, we ask only that you leave a comment and consider giving a donation to these wonderful charities. We'd also appreciate a tweet, a facebook status link, an email sent to loved ones...whatever you'd like to do to help us bring awareness here.

St. Jude's

I remember the first time I *really* paid attention to St. Jude's. I'd seen the commercials all the time, frowned and thought how sad it is to see kid's suffering, and occasionally, I'd buy something just because the proceeds would go to them. A dollar at a fast food place here and there.

It wasn't until I woke up sometime during the night after stint of pain and depression, with the TV light blaring into my eyes that I really SAW the commercial.

For days I'd had pain and wallowed in self pity thinking, "how am I supposed to live like this...random pain for the rest of my life?" And then...glaring into my eyes was the inspiration I needed. A beautifully bald-headed soldier. So young to be facing--not a lifetime of pain--but a painfully short life-time. I cried. I watched the whole long commercial from start to finish. Hearing how these children fought so hard for just a couple hours worth of playing time. And there I sat, letting my condition take me.

In that moment, I changed my outlook on my condition, and life in general. I have lived over thirty years, and though I've had pain and problems throughout...I've lived. I have a child, I've known love, I've traveled...there's so much I've done and that I'll now do and all because of St. Jude's.

These children...these beautiful, wonderful bundles of love and inspiration, may not get the chances I've had. And they deserve it far more than I. What, then, can I do except to give and give and give until I have nothing else or until the scientists make a brilliant discovery and cure cancer and lymphoma in children?

I'm asking you, my friends, my peers, my new acquaintances. Help the children who need our support in order to survive. Help give them years instead of hours to play.


St. Jude's <~~~~~ DONATE TO ST. JUDE'S HERE


Giveaways:
Allure Van Sanz T-shirt
Indie YA author Amanda Brice giving away her YA EBook CODENAME: DANCER
Children’s Author Margaret Rose giving away a free, autographed copy of her children’s book First Spring.

For your chance to win, simply leave a comment, and please consider a donation to St. Jude's. You can help us get the word out by tweeting, facebook linking, emailing this post to your family, friends, and peers.

From the bottom of my heart, and the hearts of the donating authors...Thank you.

May Awareness Updates

Wow...

Not only have I received a lot of really great suggestions for causes and charities to link to, but authors have come from everywhere to offer up their time (in doing write ups for their conditions), but their books. Ebooks, print books, and swag.

I'm truly humbled by the generosity.

Because of this, instead of doing four weekends with four different charities...I'm covering them all!

How I ever thought I could draw names out of a hat...I don't know. I thought maybe I'd get about six cause suggestions and I'd cover the two that didn't make it on another day with their own small giveaways...but SHEESH...

I'm getting permission from the charities still, so I can't mention the organizations, but these are the conditions we'll be covering.

Fibromyalgia
Colon Cancer
Children's Cancer and Lymphoma
Bone Marrow Registration
Autism
Depression and Suicide
Dementia and Alzheimer's
Heart Disease
Child Abuse
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Domestic Violence
Lupus
Muscular Dystrophy
GBLT Rights
Epilepsy
Type 2 Diabetes

It's not too late to get your cause mentioned!
Side Note: All animal and nature causes will come at a later time. May is going to be all human focused with the exception of animal causes that aid humans such as dogs for the blind and therapy animals. (Two causes I might add even though no one has suggested them. lol)

Again, thank you to everyone who has donated their time and their books and swag to this little awareness event. I can't begin to tell you how much it means to me.

It feels good...to do good.

All my best,
AyVee