#duradash this year was a great success, thanks to our enthusiastic, passionate community of people who worked so hard to raise awareness and crucial funds for spinal CSF leak! Today we handed out some awards as congratulations for some of our notable participants. But every single person who contributed has helped make a difference in the lives of all those affected by spinal CSF leak. Thanks, everyone!
Most money raised by an individual, Biggest fan club, and Most minutes of activity by a person with a spinal CSF leak:
Ann Elizabeth Kay Marvin
Ann Elizabeth Kay Marvin took #duradash by storm, raising $13,695 thanks to the generosity of her 76 generous donors, who were passionate in their support of her. After having an epidural blood patch mere days before starting #duradash, Ann Elizabeth used her 660 activity minutes creatively, painting while flat and spending time with family. Thanks, Ann Elizabeth, for everything you’re doing to raise awareness and much-needed funds for research on spinal CSF leak! https://duradash.causevox.com/ann-elizabeth-kay-marvin
Second-to-most money raised by an individual, and Best example of starting where you are: Connie Rim
Connie Rim took our “start where you are” theme to heart and used her #duradash minutes to raise awareness online and to take care of herself both physically and emotionally. She also raised $4,600 for spinal CSF leak research! Amazing! Thanks, Connie! https://duradash.causevox.com/connierim
Most money raised by a team
Team Pickard – $3449,
with six team members and 38 donors
Second-to-most money raised by a team
Spiritous Lymph – $3283,
with 3 team members and 41 donors
Best #duradashing with a doctor: Arianna Benedetti
After waiting 5 months, Arianna Benedetti was able to meet with a spinal CSF leak specialist during #duradash. She said it strengthened her conviction even more to raise awareness and push research forward. Brava! https://duradash.causevox.com/arianna-benedetti
Most cats encountered, and Most minutes spent walking by a person with a spinal CSF leak: Jodi Ettenberg
Jodi Ettenberg documented her 520 minutes of daily walks on Instagram and encountered so many friendly neighborhood cats! Sadly, she could only appreciate them from afar. As Jodi put it in one of her updates: “One of the hard parts of having a CSF leak: no ability to bend and give scratches to the random cats I meet!” Thanks for raising awareness and funds so that we can get more people sealed and able to scritch those kitties! https://duradash.causevox.com/jodi
Most creative activity by a person without a leak and Most money raised by a person without a leak: Justin Klugh
Justin Klugh participated in #duradash to raise awareness and support his friend Amanda. His updates are truly hilarious and include this description of his #duradash post-office activity: “Yelled at a lady for cutting in line but she was just dropping off a package. Does yelling at strangers count as an activity?” Yes! Yes, it does, Justin! https://duradash.causevox.com/justin-klugh
Cutest walking partners: Allison Hanneman
Allison Hanneman was thrilled to be able to walk her dogs again as part of her #duradash activity. She also shared how the research she did helped raise awareness with her doctors and got her the patch she needed. Awesome! https://duradash.causevox.com/allison-hanneman
Most updates posted
A two-way tie!
Amanda Pickard and Leisha Jones each posted 10 updates
https://duradash.causevox.com/amanda-pickard
https://duradash.causevox.com/leisha-jones
Crushed it hardest: Becky Bosch
Becky Bosch did all kinds of exercise as part of her recovery from surgery. Scapular pull-ups?! Hiking?? A 5k walk with friends?? Incredible! Check out all her updates here: https://duradash.causevox.com/becky-bosch
Best use of TikTok and Most minutes of activity by a former spinal CSF leak patient: Leisha Jones
Leisha Jones posted about her 1520 minutes of #duradash activities on TikTok and also wrote some great updates on her page, including one about PTSD. Check them all out here: https://duradash.causevox.com/leisha-jones
Most updates from inside a medical facility: Amanda Pickard
Amanda Pickard took raising awareness to new heights as she spent #duradash in and out of hospitals personally educating medical professionals about spinal CSF leak as a patient. Many of her additional #duradash minutes were spent walking to and from the pharmacy for meds, but she managed to do at least one walk to get tacos! Read all her updates here: https://duradash.causevox.com/amanda-pickard
Most kilometers run: LeAudra Franklin
LeAudra Franklin spent her #duradash minutes completing a 5k run! She wisely paced herself, spreading it out over a week, and even ran with friends to help raise awareness. Great job, LeAudra! https://duradash.causevox.com/leaudra-franklin
Biggest cheerleader: Ann Fields
Ann Fields is a force to be reckoned with! After six years she was very excited to be able to zumba again. Thanks for educating your group exercise partners about spinal CSF leak, Ann! https://duradash.causevox.com/ann-fields
Feelin’ the heat: Susie Cradit
Susie Cradit ran through a heat wave, which in our opinion should count twice! Thanks for your efforts, Susie! https://duradash.causevox.com/susie-cradit
Double dashing: Melissa Geraghty
Dr. Melissa Geraghty, a clinical psychologist, did recumbent biking for her #duradash minutes and also did virtual workouts using her iFit. Additionally, she also managed to participate in this year’s Miles for Migraine event to support Headache on the Hill. Nice job! https://duradash.causevox.com/dr-melissa-geraghty-psyd
Most helpful dashing: Albany McNay
Albany McNay used her #duradash minutes to help her parents move! Way to pack in those minutes, Albany! https://duradash.causevox.com/albany-mcnay
“Start Where You Are Award”
Tonya Becker
Steven Conti
Ronni Higger
Joseph Indelicato
Jen
Janel Macklin
Harvey Myers
Cindy Vanover
Thanks to all of you for starting where you are and doing what you can to raise awareness!