FIGHT LIKE A WARRIOR February 2020 Newsletter |
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Rare Disease Day On February 29th we celebrated Rare Disease Day! According to the National Institute of Health, there is an estimated 6-7,000 identified rare diseases effecting the global patient community today; the vast majority of which have genetic origins, and the rest are a result of infections, environmental causes, or rare cancers.
We at Fight Like a Warrior are proud to stand alongside the many incredible organizations who aim support rare disease warriors around the world, today and every day. Our Blog Manager Shannan wrote an incredible blog sharing some of our team's rare experiences. You can read the article by clicking the button below! | | |
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World Cancer Day Can we get a “👏” for all the cancer warriors out there?! We wanted to take the time to honor the strength of all of the cancer warriors in our community this week! Fighting a cancer battle is no easy feat. The courage that these warriors show every single day continues to give our community hope!
Cancer warrior Lia (pictured) says, “I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 20 years old. Certainly not ideal, however, I’m actually thankful for the experience. Cancer has made me more compassionate of others and their unique struggles. Cancer also showed me the importance of embracing my life. I am choosing to make the best out of this situation, and I will never take another day for granted.” Picture Credit: @fuhodgkins |
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National Caregivers Day Caregiving is no easy feat! It can be complicated and exhausting. We recognize the great sacrifices so many caregivers make and the incredible love and support they provide warriors. Caregivers are the shoulders so many lean on and they fight battles right alongside those they care for! Whether caring for a child, parent, sibling, friend, or a patient - caregivers are a backbone for so many facing huge battles. Where would we be without them?! Today and always we extend our thanks to the caregiving community! 👏 Photo Credit: @kayleighbundick |
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Champion or Loser? I Decide. "My athletic ability is often denounced because I’m disabled. In reality, I’m a Team Canada prospect and upcoming member for Track and Field. Not many people, able bodied or not, can say that and I am flipping proud of that. At track meets, often able-bodied athletes say my races aren’t real because I’m in a chair. However, once they see me race with dislocated joints, they realize that my sport and ability is completely valid. Compared to friends on university track teams, I spend more time at the track, working on my strokes and improving my speed than all of them. Just because I am disabled doesn’t mean I’m unable. Are my abilities different? Yes, but it still makes them valid." Read the rest of Anikka's incredible experience below! | | |
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Warrior of the Month Indie @lizeidelman Our amazing Warrior of the Month for February is Indie! Indie was born with Esophageal Atresia and Trecheoesophageal Fistula (EA/TEF) Because Indie's anatomy was altered/corrected at birth, she is still "learning" the proper swallow and thus, she aspirates thin liquids. She also has a laryngeal cleft, which is a second birth defect in addition to EA/TEF - they frequently happen together. Indie's mom hopes that sharing Indie's story will inspire people, especially parents to have patience and grace towards others, because things aren't always as they seem. She hopes their story will serve as a reminder to people everywhere that special needs are not always visible on the outside! | | |
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Ambassador of the Month Ashley (@crpswarrior_2012) We are so excited to introduce our February Ambassador of the Month, Ashley! She has been a great support to the whole Ambassador team and FLAW community! Ashley has been living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or CRPS for short for the last 7 years, after she was hurt at work. She lives just outside of Vancouver, Canada with her amazing husband & their 2 emotional support dogs. Ashley is an avid reader, amateur photographer, newbie sailor & she absolutely loves anything Disney! She is a fairly new Fight Like A Warrior Ambassador & is super excited to be involved & helping to spread awareness about chronic illness! |
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Thank you so much for reading Fight Like A Warrior's monthly newsletter! Because of your support, our organization has been able to create an incredible community of chronic illness warriors who prove every single day that #SickFightsBack. In February, Cards For Warriors sent 17 cards to warriors in 5 different states and 3 countries! If you know a warrior that could use a little extra support & encouragement, remember to request a card for them! Keep fighting everyone! |
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Amazon Smile Want to support Fight Like A Warrior automatically when you shop on Amazon? When you shop using AmazonSmile and select Fight Like A Warrior, Amazon will donate a portion of your order total back to our organization! Please consider supporting us by using AmazonSmile every time you shop on Amazon! Click the link below to select Fight Like A Warrior as your charity of choice! | | |
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Help us ensure the future of Fight Like A Warrior by donating now! |
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