Lupus

I've been speaking with Sharon today, our fantastic Managing Trustee in Nairobi, Kenya. I wanted to share her story because its a powerful one. Published by the wonderful Lupus.Org, of the DC-based Lupus Foundation of America the story explains plainly the problem in Kenya of a lack of education in even the most highly trained medical personnel.


Sharon knows she is lucky to have had family living in the US who correctly & quickly were able to diagnose her but thousands in Kenya do not have this luxury. Sharon has already started a support group. There is a group on Facebook too. With already nearly 5,500 members, this isn't a small issue. If you or a family member or friend suffer from the numerous types of Lupus, pass the word on.

lupus, kenya, AVIF

Birthday celebrations for ALL

I'd like to wish my good friend Simon a Happy Birthday for January 11th. I can't say it on the day as he'll be cycling through Egypt taking part in the Tour d'Afrique enjoying an incredible experience as well as raising money for their foundation and AVIF too.

To help in fundraising, prior to flying off to Cairo Friday, Simon is hoping to set up his FaceBook Birthday Cause. [That link shows Amy Sample Ward's page explaining more]. Causes, the social change application belonging to Facebook, now sends all users a message two weeks before their birthday encouraging them to set up a cause asking people to donate to their favourite charity rather than send a card or buy a gift.
Brilliant idea!

The technology behind the Birthday Cause page allows access to the charity's own page as well as telling the charity who the donor is. It will also be wonderful for Simon to be able to log on on rest days [this "rest day" list also illustrates just exactly HOW COOL this experience will be] :


[click pic to view larger]

Egypt
Friday January 16th Luxor
Sudan
Sunday January 25th Dongola
Friday January 30th Khartoum
Ethiopia
Friday February 6th Gondor
Monday February 9th Bahir Dar
Sunday February 15th Addis Ababa
Friday February 20th Arba Minch
Kenya
Saturday February 28th Marsabit
Saturday March 7th Nairobi
Tanzania
Tuesday March 10th Arusha
Wednesday March 11th Arusha
Thursday March 12th Arusha
Friday March 20th Iringa
Malawi
Thursday March 26th Chitimba Beach
Wednesday April 1st Lilongwe
Zambia
Tuesday April 7th Lusaka
Saturday April 11th Victoria Falls
Sunday April 12th Victoria Falls
Botswana
Saturday April 18th Maun
Namibia
Friday April 24th Windhoek
Wednesday April 29th Sossusvlei
Sunday May 3rd Felix Unite

End - 9th May 2009 Capetown

Thats what I call a Welcome to a New Year.

BEST WISHES, Simon & ASANTE SANA FROM ALL OF US ASSOCIATED WITH AVIF

xx