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Like most family members, Amanda Vonder Schmalz wants to make a difference in the life of her father and others diagnosed with vasculitis. She believes that raising funds and awareness will do that. She wants more people to understand vasculitis and to support the loved ones that are affected by this family of diseases. And she believes that with a gift to the Vasculitis Foundation, you can help.
In 2007, after months of training and completing the New York City Half Marathon, Karl Vonder Schmalz decided to run the full marathon. About 15 miles into his run he had an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. He was flown by Medivac helicopter to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, where he survived a seven-hour life-saving surgery. Following extensive testing, he was diagnosed with Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) and underwent six-months of chemotherapy to bring the disease under manageable control. After his diagnosis, Karl found the Vasculitis Foundation.
The Vasculitis Foundation advocates for early diagnosis, leading edge treatment and ultimately a cure for all types of vasculitis. The Vasculitis Foundation works to alleviate the isolation that patients and their families experience by helping them develop a strong positive outlook. But they need your help to make it happen.
Please consider making an annual gift to the Vasculitis Foundation. Your gift allows the VF to fulfill our mission of awareness, support and research. Your gift allows us to be there for patients and families in their greatest time of need. Your gift makes a difference.
Karl was in the best shape of his life when the unimaginable happened. And thanks to educated and diligent doctors at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Karl will run the New York Marathon on November 6. Amanda will be cheering him on. And so will we.
Sincerely,
Bob Sahs
President, Board of Directors
Vasculitis Foundation
Click here to support the 2011 VF Annual Appeal.
Karl successfully completed the New York Marathon on Nov. 6th and provided the following account:
To All,
Last Sunday I completed the NYC Marathon with a time of 4:55. This was one of the most difficult and rewarding things that I have done in my life. Kerry Shea, a PAN Support Network (PSN) member, and her mother Molly traveled all the way from California to support me in memory of Jay O'Connor. Talk about inspirational! I am eternally greatful for Kerry and Molly's support and ran the marathon in memory of Jay and Ed's mother, Florence. I also ran the marathon as a fundraiser for the Vasculitis Foundation . I would like to thank Joyce Kullman, from the VF, for all her support and the support from the VF.
For those of you not familiar with my history, I was diagnosed with PAN after attempting to run the NYC Marathon in 2007 when an aneurysm (AAA) burst in my abdomen during the race. It happened at the 15-mile mark. Someone was watching over me that day because almost nobody survives a AAA.
During my training for this Marathon and the time leading up to it, I was able to avoid thinking about the risk of running it again. This all changed last Saturday, the night before this year's Marathon. I could not sleep because my mind was filled with everything my family and I have gone through the last 4 years. I had written individual letters to my wife, 3 children and parents in the event that something would go wrong like last time and I didn't return. My oldest daughter and son stayed with me in the hotel. As I left at 6 am for the Marathon I gave each a big hug and told them where to find the letters on my computer in the event that something would happen, while assuring them not to worry. I left the room in tears that morning and cried all the way to the subway. When I reached the subway, which was filled with other runners, I was able to pull it together. I began think of why I was running the Marathon which helped me to focus.
I wore a quarterbacks forearm sleeve on my right arm but instead of having it filled with plays I had it filled with pictures of Jay and Kerry and the Vasculitis Foundation Logo. As I hit the "Wall" at mile 21 I grasped the sleeve for inspiration to continue and heard the distinct sound of a Harley Davidson passing by me. Jay had a Harley and I knew he was with me. This gave me the strength to continue.
My sister, who does triathlons, jumped the barrier around the location where my aneurysm burst in 2007 to run with me. She ran next to me until the last mile where they noticed she was not wearing a marathon Bib and asked her to stop. She also gave me comfort and inspiration to continue.
Crossing the finish line was like the weight of the world being lifted off my shoulders. This was the day I beat PAN for myself, everyone reading this email and everyone whose life has been effected by this rare disease. Its important to embrace life's victories.
I hope in some way I have touched everyone reading this and given you hope, strength and inspiration to continue on living with PAN while also giving your family members the same. I know how it feels living with PAN but don't let it stop you from living the life you want to live. I cherish each and every day and try to live it to the fullest.
I plan to run a Marathon every year to benefit PAN as long as I am able. After all the preparation for this marathon I feel empty and need something to fill the void with a new fundraising goal to strive for in the near future. I'm open to any ideas that anyone has to offer. Jay had a Harley and I also have one as well. Maybe we could do some type of fundraiser involving a Harley Ride for PAN.
The Vasculitis Foundation has highlighted my daughter's efforts with this fundraiser in two separate articles that were mailed recently so I have kept the fundraiser page active in hopes of raising additional donations. For those who would like to make a donation or just check -out the page please go to www.crowdrise.com/vasculitis.
For those interested in viewing pictures of the marathon go to www.nycmarathon.com and click on the Pictures and Video link and then type in my Bib # 30774.
Thank you to Ed and all the PSN members that supported and prayed for me. I just joined PSN and am proud to be a new member.
Best Regards,
Karl
