VF Committees - Get involved
Members are encouraged to join a committee and help the organization meet its goals. If you would like to learn more about a committee’s activities, have a suggestion or would like to volunteer, please contact the committee chair. We’d love to hear from you.
EDUCATION and AWARENESS COUNCIL
The Education and Awareness Council is composed of people who have a form of vasculitis or have a personal or professional interest and commitment to the field of vasculitis. The Council has been organized to promote the goals and programs of the Foundation and to provide the VF Board of Directors with feedback relating to the needs of those it serves.
Education and Awareness Council
Why I Volunteer
Gail Schultz
I was raised with volunteering in my blood. Both my parents were active participants in their community. I learned early on not to sit on the sideline but to get involved. As a young mom, I was involved with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Church and the High School Marching Band.
Our lives changed in the winter of 1996/97.That was when my daughter at age 14 was diagnosed with Wegeners Granulomatosis.
The role of a parent is to protect their child. For the first time in my life, I could not protect my child from the ravages of this disease. I could not make her pain go away, and repair the damage. The only thing I could do is work to raise awareness and funding so that some day, hopefully in her lifetime, things might get better.
My first introduction into the VF came in March 1997 when a social worker at our hospital handed me the name of an organization the Wegeners Granulomatosis Support Group. I called and a warm caring voice reassured me and lifted a huge burden off my shoulders. Her name was Iva Roe. The material she sent helped me better understand WG.
I attended my first chapter meeting in 1998. Jennifer Vitale organized a well-attended meeting and Dr. Robert Lebovics and Dr. Harry Spiera answered the many questions asked by the attendees. Later when Jen asked about a picnic in NJ I was only too willing to help organize. From there, I assisted Jen Vitale and Denise Banfield with the organizing of the chapter meetings. They both worked very hard to put the group together.
As time went on, Denise moved to South Jersey after giving birth to her son. A few years later, Jennifer married, and she also last year gave birth to son. With Denise and Jennifer busy raising their families; I took over the reigns of the group.
Since 2004, I have served as the area contact for the NY, NJ area and the chapter leader of the TriState VF chapter. As chapter leader, I organize meetings, and a variety of special events to help educate our patients, raise awareness of Vasculitis, and raise funds for research.
As an area contact, I get to talk to many newly diagnosed patients. I get great satisfaction talking to new patients and their families. It is rewarding to be able to offer hope to those who feel overwhelmed and let them know they are not alone.
Working as a volunteer for the VF is the only way I can work to help my daughter and my many new friends who suffer from vasculitis. I will continue my work until we don’t need to work anymore. I am very excited with the direction the Foundation has taken. I’ve been with the group long enough to have seen it grow from a support group to a well organized and focused foundation. I know that the time I give to this cause contributes in a small way to providing a brighter future for so many.
Medical Consultants/Research
The Vasculitis Foundation Medical Consultants and Research Committee solicits and receives nominations of individuals who would likely be good additions to the VF listing of Medical Consultants, extends letters of invitation and application forms, reviews applications received, and presents selected applications to the VF Board of Directors for their action.
The committee also oversees the VF Research Program, including the solicitation, receipt, and review of research proposals, and advises the VF Board of Directors as to the funding of reviewed proposals.
Resource Development
The Vasculitis Foundation's Resource Development Committee's charge is to increase the fundraising base and dollars raised to support the operation of the VF and to provide additional research contributions. Fundraising is also a means to raise awareness and advocacy efforts by reaching out to the medical community and to the VF contact network. The committee also works with staff to oversee events organized in support of the VF.