Spring 2010 Newsletter

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Spotlight on Rodi

This issue we are spotlighting a very special person, Rodi Alexander Friedman. Rodi is no stranger to the spotlight being that she has been an international entertainer for 20 years, performing in Theaters, Atlantic City, on Cruise Ships, and working with many celebrities. She stuns her audiences regularly with her high-energy performances, vocal ability, and beautiful ballads.

In March 2009, Rodi was hospitalized with a collapsed lung and was soon thereafter diagnosed with LAM. Since being diagnosed just one year ago, Rodi has leapt into action, partnering with family and friends to create a non-profit auxiliary to the LAM Foundation, called Little LAM, Inc. All funds raised by Little LAM, Inc., go directly to LAM research and patient services.

To those who know Rodi, it is not a surprise that she has so actively taken on the fight against LAM. A health advocate for over 20 years, Rodi’s passion in the education of nutrition is just as strong as her passion to perform. Rodi has spent the last 5 years as a Certified Nutritional Coach, donating her time lecturing in schools, and educating children, teachers and parents on good nutrition and improving their health. Rodi is also a writer for ENV Magazine, Environmental News and Views, and just published an article on the importance of drinking enough H2O.

In regards to LAM, Rodi says her personal hope and wish is that “researchers find a cure so that [she] and many others can see their children grow up, graduate school, marry and have kids of their own.” Rodi is a much-loved wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and entertainer, and now, an extremely energetic and valued crusader for the cure for LAM.

Please visit www.littlelaminc.org for more information.

Volunteer from Home

There are many ways to donate to a charitable cause such as LAM from your very own home. For instance, in home parties are still all the rage. From cosmetics, clothing, and kitchen wares to towels and sheets, in home parties are ever popular and going strong. Recently, Julie Tadych, Manager with Private Quarters (upscale linens and bath products) donated 10% of her revenue from an in home party she had for a Midwest friends of LAM Board member. The donation was nearly $200 in under an hour! Not only is it commendable to Private Quarters for the donation but it also helps to create even more awareness for LAM because every woman who attended the party learned a little bit more about this rare disease.

Dear Friends and Family,

Spring has sprung around Chicago…and so have we! And it’s not just the spring blooms that are rejuvenating our spirits. Progress is the key word for us here at the Midwest Friends of LAM this spring: progress in LAM research, progress in planning our fundraising events for 2010 and progress in raising awareness of this disease.

So let’s keep this momentum going! Whether you have a zest for adventure or like to get dressed up for an evening out, we have an event in 2010 that you’re sure to want to be part of. However you choose to spring into action, we look forward to your continued support of the Midwest Friends of LAM. Let’s keep up the tremendous progress we are making!

LAMposium 2010

Many members of our board traveled to Cincinnati, OH this April for the LAM Foundation International Research Conference known as LAMposium. They returned both moved and enthused by this unique conference that brought together over 100 researchers and 100 patients.

Patients and their families were offered educational sessions while scientists and physicians collaborated to discuss what is known and to identify critical new research directions. The LAMposium 2010 Gala event gave patients an opportunity to stand together and thank the researchers for all work they have done towards solving LAM.

Here are some more highlights:

Perhaps the most exciting news came from Dr. McCormack, a top researcher who spoke at our benefit last fall, when he announced that he believes we will solve LAM in his lifetime – now that, is progress!!
Researchers are excited because having discovered LAM’s molecular pathway, they may now test several existing FDA approved drugs that could work against LAM.
Our very own Laura Lentz received an award for Midwest Fundraising – way to go!

Golf “Fore!” LAM Charity Outing

Join fellow golfers and friends of LAM for a fun day of great golf at the Fieldstone Golf Club in Auburn Hills, Michigan! All proceeds raised will be directed towards funding LAM research.

The date is set for Saturday, August 7^th, 2010. $125/golfer or $500/foursome includes 18 holes of golf, beverages and a fun evening with cocktails, dinner and prizes!!

To register, please click here. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Stacy Drummond at salapins@hotmail.com or 743.667.3790.

Can you B.E.A.R. the challenge?

Join us for the second annual Breathe Easy Adventure Race (B.E.A.R.) on Saturday, September 18^th, 2010. Like last year, the event will be held at Proud Lake, located on the scenic Huron River in Oakland County, Michigan.

Give Adventure Racing a try and feel the satisfaction of completing five fun and challenging hours of trail running, mountain biking and canoeing! And most satisfying of all, all funds raised will go directly to the LAM Foundation.

Look for event date and details on our website and contact Karen St. Louis at karmiles1@yahoo.com if you would like for more information.

Looking for donations big or small!

The Midwest Friends of LAM are in full swing preparing for our 3^rd Annual “A Breath of Hope” Silent & Live Auction. This year’s event will take place on November 6, 2010 in the incredible space of Gallery 1028 in Chicago.

Along with goods, services and general donations we are still looking to secure sponsorships or underwriters. Event sponsors will have their logos prominently displayed at the event and on all event literature. This is a great opportunity for you to be creative and help out in our quest for a cure.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated goods and services for this year’s auction. To see a list of 2010 donors, please click here.

Contact Jennifer Seuring at jseur71@yahoo.com or Carla Galvanoni at cgalvanoni@yahoo.com if you are interested in either underwriting, sponsoring, or donating to our event.

Health & Diet

You may want to check your shampoo, toothpaste, carpets and children’s toys. So say Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, in their book “Slow Death by Rubber Duck: How The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects Our Health.” Some of the most dangerous pollutants, it turns out, may come from the most ordinary items in our homes. For one week, Rick Smith and Lourie ingested and inhaled a plethora of items that are part of our everyday lives. Using their own bodies as reference points, they detail the effects of pollution in our modern world and expose those who manufacture the toxins. This book may not be the fun summer read you’re looking for, but it will hopefully empower you with some simple ideas for protecting yourself and your family.

Check out our new website!

We have upgraded our Midwest Friends of LAM website! Same address, more good information @ www.friendsoflam.org. If you haven’t already, you will definitely want to bookmark us now! Let us know how we look!

If you are planning an event in your area that pertains to LAM, please let us know and we will include it in our next newsletter. You can email Carla at cgalvanoni@yahoo.com or Jenna Hnilo at jenna_hnilo@yahoo.com.