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Friday, August 30, 2013

Thank you to Melissa Snider and David Shaw

Auction item:
Methow Valley Experience
Enjoy eight days and seven nights in this beautiful cabin in the woods of Methow Valley.  2BD, 2BA sleeps four complete with fill kitchen, fire place, TV with DVD, CD and Ethernet.  Everything you will need to have a fabulous vacation - winter or summer! Have fun in Winthrop, just a couple of miles from the cabin or just relax and enjoy your surroundings.  Melissa and David have provided you all the instruction you could possibly need to have a relaxing and comfortable vacation!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Diamonds and Amethysts - Oh my!

An Amethyst and Diamond pendant

Ben Bridge Jeweler has donated a stunning Diamond & Amethyst pendant - a cushion cut amethyst surrounded by 11 diamonds all set in 14K white gold - that will sure be a hit at this year's auction.

A special thank you to Herb Bridge for working with Bone Bash to donate this incredible item!

Visit www.benbridge.com for store locations and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BenBridgeJeweler

The Groove Surfers performing LIVE at the 2013 Bone Bash!

The Groove Surfers will make you jump, shout and move all over the dance floor! 
 
 
 
Seattle based Groove Surfers are confirmed to perform at this year's Bone Bash Gala at the Seattle Four Seasons Hotel!  Check them out at www.thegroovesurfers.com or on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/The-Groove-Surfers

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Healing Hands for Arthritis Event!

Our partners at Massage Envy clinics across Washington are hosting a giveaway as part of this year’s Healing Hands for Arthritis Event. Hop over to the Better Health Washington blog and enter to win two free 90-minute massage sessions:  http://betterhealthwashington.com/2013/08/give-back-get-pampered/

Judi's Story - In Her Own Words

There are an estimated 50 Million adults in the U.S. diagnosed with arthritis and 300,000 children with juvenile arthritis (that’s right, kids get arthritis too). There are over 100 different chronic forms of arthritis that effect the joints and other parts of the body, the more common being, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid, Gout, Fibromyalgia & Lupus.

“Rheumatoid Arthritis”, a systematic autoimmune disease that affects the entire body and is characterized by the inflammation of the membrane lining the joint, which causes pain, stiffness, warmth, redness and swelling.  Trust me, I didn’t understand all of this when I was diagnosed, but I can tell you it isn’t fun!

I am one of 1.3 million people in the U.S. with diagnosed RA.  I believe that I had the genetic potential for RA because my Mother has RA and my Fraternal Grandmother had RA.  My RA expressed its ugly self when I went through the stress of a divorce 18 years ago.  My Mother’s RA expressed itself when she went through the stress of having me, her first child.  Payback is not pretty!
It’s taken quite a while to figure out the right medication and health regime.  I’ve tried almost everything from Plaquenil, Azulfidine, Mobic, Vioxx (before it was taken off of the market) and others that I don’t even remember, but none were working to my satisfaction.  I was flaring a lot.  A flare is, in simplistic terms, where your immune system attacks any joint it chooses, which causes inflammation, stiffness and extreme pain.  Whichever joint it happens to attack becomes immobile.  All of my flares, which were becoming weekly, would last approx. 1 1/2 days (which is not necessarily the norm).

I am a very active, healthy woman that loves to ski, kayak, play softball, exercise and enjoy life, so these flares, besides painful, were getting in the way of my quality of life.  About 10 years ago I decided to see a homeopathic practitioner for suggestion of an alternative.  Within 5 minutes of me explaining my disease and describing my flares, he asked me if I had ever had a food allergy test, because 1 1/2 days is approx. the amount of time it takes for food to go through your system.  I was all over that test and low and behold, I was allergic to wheat, gluten and spelt, cow dairy and eggs.  Now being a good Italian eater, you can only imagine how much of these foods (bread, pasta, cheese, etc.) I was eating on a weekly basis.  Long story short, I went to a natural food store, spent about 3 hours, with my reading glasses, checking out the ingredients of different products and started my new diet.

I am happy to say that my diet cut my flares by 75%.  At about the same time the FDA had approved a biologic drug called Rhemicade for treatment of RA, so I tried it.  I had now found what I call “my miracle drug”.  Rhemicade, in simplistic terms, is an IV infused medication that can be taken every 4 – 8 weeks that blocks the TNF inhibitors in my immune system that attack my joints.  It certainly is not a cure but, in partnership with my diet, taking relative supplements (calcium, omega 3, glucosamine, vitamin D & a multiple) it keeps me from being in pain and stops the deterioration of my joints.

I am certainly not saying that this is the answer for everyone with RA, because it may not be.  I believe that for me, I have found the winning combination of healthy eating, exercise, natural supplements and Rhemicade.  There are millions of people that are continuing to suffer everyday from this disabling disease.

If you have RA (or know someone who has RA), spend time with your rheumatologist and investigate all of the possible natural alternatives that could hopefully give you a better quality of life.  I believe that “if life gives you lemons, then you need to make lemonade”.
I am one of the fortunate ones diagnosed early and able to take aggressive treatment with biologic medications to control my disease.  Because I feel so fortunate I am determined to do whatever I can to help find a cure for this awful disease.  I’m on the Board of Directors for the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, chair one of their signature fundraisers and volunteer and participate wherever I can.  The more fundraising that can be done, the more money that can be targeted to research to find a cure.

Check out the Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org; they have a wealth of information and programs that can help, and get involved.

Elena's Story - In Her Own Words

Living with arthritis.

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 42. I am 50 today. I am the youngest of 11 children, my mother and myself are the only ones that have arthritis, she has osteo-arthritis and has had both knees and one shoulder replaced.

I have always been very active. I served in the U.S. Army for 20 years without any limitation. After retiring I kept my weight healthy and physical activity with strict discipline. For exercise, I ran mostly in the “pre-diagnosis” days. I went to the doctor many times for aches and pains that I attributed to my physical activity, taking numerous amounts of Ibuprofen and Extra Strength Tylenol until one doctor (after an appointment for complaints of range of motion limitation–for no apparent reason) decided to test me for arthritis. All of my tests came back positive for RA, which he said he had seldom seen. Eventually I had to take a leave from my desk job because of the severity of physical limitation to my arm.

After being referred to a Rheumatologist I began the heavy doses of medication which somewhat depressed me. I was 42 and going to take these for the rest of my life? After about a year on all the medication I decided I could not live that way. I talked to my doctor about this and he advised against it but understood my distress and suggested I go about working out as I had previously just being aware of the fine line to the wear on my joints. I joined a gym and started spinning, weight lifting, kickboxing, 5 days a week. On the weekends I would ride (bicycle) with friends and Sundays I would take my dog out and walk Greenlake 3 or 4 times (my rest day). A few times I overdid my weightlifting but mostly I felt so much better. I still had occasional flare up that sent me to the ER but I had taken charge of my life again.

For purposes solely of convenience, I found a new Rheumatologist close to my office downtown Seattle, prior to meeting with her I was to go in and provide blood work at the Lab. On my first appointment she walked in and looked at me startled. I will never forget what she told me next. She said, after looking at my bloodwork she thought she was going to walk in on a frail, bent 46 year old woman. My Rheumatoid Factor was higher than any she had ever seen….whatever I was doing, keep on doing… That was 4 years ago—I am on only Methrotrexeate today and I just began hot yoga 3 weeks ago…which has been wonderful!

I have 4 kids, my baby just graduated college last year. I have 7 grandchildren. My oldest granddaughter and I make the trip each year to Spokane to run the Bloomsday Race together since she was 11. I am here—with them—living with RA. Really LIVING. Occasionally I have bad flare ups, painful. It is frustrating when I am unable to drive sometimes but it passes and I am happy. RA challenged me. I met it. More than halfway!

Thanks for asking,
Elena Ortiz

A Man With a Mission

Larry Snyder knows what it’s like to see a loved one suffer from arthritis. His mother, Jean Snyder, has rheumatoid arthritis, a long-term disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. The only son in his family and brother to five sisters, he remembers his mother as an active, outgoing woman who loved to share her warmth by cooking dinners for big family gatherings. Larry and his family members saw the arthritis become a challenge for his mother when her hands started to slowly stiffen. Thankfully, Jean has received support from doctors at Highline Hospital in Burien. In the last two years, she has been taking new drugs that Larry believes made a big difference in her life.  “It hasn’t necessarily stopped all the pain from it, but we feel the progression of it has somewhat subsided,” said Larry.

Larry’s personal story about his mother fuels his passion for helping the Arthritis Foundation.
“So I have a pretty personal connection not only what arthritis is, but how important the Arthritis Foundation is for providing education, also patient services and general awareness about the therapies that are available, and also the people that are out there that can mentor who need help understanding not only what arthritis is, but how it can be treated and how it can be prevented..”
The Arthritis Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness and reduce the impact of arthritis. It impacts one in every five adults and 300,000 children– 6,100 children in the state of Washington alone. The Bone Bash Auction is an event that raises money for research, programs and services to improve quality of life, and a cure.

Three years ago, Larry’s associate and friend told him about the Bone Bash Auction. He eventually met some of the committee members and wanted to be part of the event. His wish was granted—Larry will be the auctioneer for the October 20 Bone Bash event at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Seattle. It’s the first time Larry is directly involved with helping the Arthritis Foundation raise money through a live auction.

Larry has spent the last 20 years professionally fundraising for the Seattle community as an auctioneer. His mission is to make the events productive, fun and memorable.
“In the end when the donor leaves the room and has given to their ability, if they can remember why– not only why, but how they gave. If that experience was memorable to them, there is a really good chance they will stay involved with that cause,” Larry said. “If it’s just another night on the town and onto the next event, then I don’t think I’ve done my job.”

He is looking forward to raising funds at the Bone Bash event for the Arthritis Foundation. He knows many people will give to an organization close to their heart and give to a mission that can make a difference. He hopes the Seattle community will join him in the support of the Arthritis Foundation’s mission.

“If you look around within your family and maybe even your social circle, someone has either been affected by arthritis and is no longer with us or living with it now,” Larry said.
While arthritis remains a challenge for Jean, she doesn’t give up easily and continues to enjoy her life with her husband. Donations from the community have helped her live comfortably.
You can do the same for someone else.

Visit bonebashseattle.com and buy tickets to the Bone Bash Auction. You can make a difference.

Welcome!

Hello There!

We’d like to welcome you to our Bone Bash Seattle blog where you can see many of our latest updates including previews of our auction items, meet our volunteers and committee members, get up to date details about the event, and learn more about the Arthritis Foundation and where our fundraising dollars go.

We invite you to visit us weekly for new posts!
For more information on Bone Bash Seattle, please check out our website at www.bonebashseattle.com.

Thanks for stopping by,

Bone Bash