So I’m headed to Walt Disney World this weekend for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend. Hmm, Disney, wining and dining? You had me at hello!
This is my last ditch effort to ask for help–I’m running for a cause that is near to me and possibly to you and many you love. Specifically, the American Thyroid Association.
Here’s the link if you would support me by donating:
https://www.crowdrise.com/wineanddinehalfmarathon or just click HERE.
Why Am I Doing This?
I have Hashimoto’s disease/hypothyroidism and it affects me every single day. It’s an autoimmune disease–a disorder where the immune system turns against the body’s own tissues. In people with Hashimoto’s, the immune system attacks the thyroid. This can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid does not make enough hormones for the body’s needs.
You’d be shocked the number of people who actually are walking around undiagnosed: up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition according to the American Thyroid Association.
Thyroid Disease Statistics:
More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime.
- An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease.
- Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.
- One woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime.
There is no cure for Hashimoto’s, but replacing hormones with medication (or some do it successfully with diet and a holistic approach) can regulate hormone levels and restore your metabolism. Again, let’s be real here, my metabolism has a new normal: it ain’t going to ever work as good as it used to. While I am thankful this is treatable, hypothyroidism can flat-out suck!
Just in case you were curious, The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is dedicated to the advancement, understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders and thyroid cancer. ATA is an international individual membership organization with over 1,600 members from 43 countries around the world. It has a 93% score on the Charity Navigator (I checked that because I always want to vet charities to make sure they are legit and also funding what they are about).
I’m not gonna let this disease DEFINE or CONFINE me–instead, I am not going to WHINE but run the WINE and DINE to raise funds so more research can be done on thyroid disease.
Thanks for your support!
-Sherry