The
Life as a Zebra Foundation is adding some different stripes to their ways of raising funds, increasing awareness and advocating for the prevention, treatment and research of hard-to-diagnose invisible illnesses.
In April, LAAZF will welcome world-recognized expert Dr. Blair Grubb and his associates from the University of Toledo Medical Center as speakers and special guests at the 4
th Annual Benefit Concert for Invisible Awareness and Research. Grubb's visit, says co-founder Katie Dama Jaskolski, represents a new partnership that supports the medical center's groundbreaking research into postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome—or POTS.
"This research project has the potential to improve the lives of so many who suffer from the often debilitating and life-altering disease," says Jaskolski. "It's a dream come true to have the chance to work with Dr. Grubb in order to make a difference in the lives of so many."
Jaskolski says that most of the proceeds from this year's gala will be allocated to Grubb's research only—a departure from previous LAAZF galas that supported multiple foundations. Anything beyond the targeted goal of $10,000 will be applied toward funding general operations for LAAZF—a non-profit supported by volunteers and charitable donations.
Grubb is considered a leader in the discovery and use of new approaches for the treatment of POTS—a debilitating disease that causes dizziness, sudden fainting, and an inability to carry on the basic functions of daily life. In 2015, Grubb was named one of the America's Top Doctors by
Castle Connolly.
Jaskolski and her sister Allie Dama founded the Life as a Zebra Foundation in 2012. Each had lived with debilitating symptoms while searching for correct medical diagnoses. Dama Jaskolski has been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and POTS, while Dama was diagnosed with polyarteritis nodosa vasculitis.
The 4
th annual gala will be held April 11 from 6-11 p.m. at the MSU Kellogg Center. The evening includes cocktails, appetizers, a silent auction, presentations and headliner acts including pop/Americana artist Noah Guthrie from Glee and Boston-based singer-songwriter Chris Trapper of the band The Push Stars. For tickets or more information, click
here.
Sources: Katie Dama Jaskolski, Co-founder, Life as a Zebra Foundation
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
Got a story idea for Innovation News? Email Ann Kammerer here.
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