Team TSF Takes Seattle!

Are you looking for a fun way to celebrate the end of the school year the whole family will enjoy?  Why not join Team TSF on June 23, 2012 for the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon and ½ Marathon in Seattle, WA. ? 

You and your family and friends can enjoy scenic views along a course that is perfect for any athletic ability.  Runners or walkers are welcome!  If you are not feeling athletic that day, you can donate, volunteer, or come and cheer on the event participants.  The more people to help Team TSF and Turner Syndrome Foundation Inc. spread the word about Turner Syndrome, the #1 chromosomal condition in women, the better.  Affecting 1in 2000 girls, TS is not very well known.  In fact, most patients are not diagnosed until they are about 14 years old, keeping them from important treatments and therapies. 

“I think it is also important to note that there is a spectrum of characteristics for Turners Syndrome. Doctors, teachers and parents should be informed so that these girls can receive support at an early age. It is widely known that early intervention is crucial to ensuring proper health and development,” adds Team TSF leader, Janna Fornia, whose 7-year-old daughter was diagnosed with TS in utero. 

By raising awareness of TS at events like the Dodge Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Marathon and ½ Marathon, the diagnosing age of patients will hopefully be lowered to at birth, which is the goal of Turner Syndrome Foundation Inc. 

“I became involved with TSF after I ran my first half marathon in Seattle. I knew I wanted to run another one and make it meaningful by joining a charity. After googling around I knew that TSF would be the perfect match. I ran the Arizona Rock and Roll half marathon with TSF and loved that I was running for something bigger than myself,” says Fornia.  “Rock and Roll races reach thousands of people and we can bring awareness to the cause and provide information while setting a healthy example for our daughters,” adds Fornia. 

For more information on how to join Fornia and Team TSF to support a good cause while having fun and exercising, or to donate or volunteer go to: 

Turner Syndrome Foundation, Inc. Website: www.TSFUSA.org

Official Event Website: http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/seattle/event-details

 www.TurnerSyndromeFoundation.org

Friends Forever??

Growing up I had a group of friends. We were best friends and did everything together. We even once declared we would be in each others weddings years in the future. I felt like I would never be alone, I would always have my three best friends. Then, when I was eleven years old, out of nowhere, my parents told us we were moving four hours away. I was devistated. How can I find better friends than these three girls? But we promised each other we would never lose touch. It worked for a while. We exchanged phone calls and letters and an occasional visit during Christmas or summers. But before I knew it, we hadn't seen each other in 5 years and the phone calls and letters turned into facebook wall posts. "Hey! What's new?" When we finally did get to see one another, our lives became so different we didn't have much to say to each other. How do you catch up on the last 5 years of your lives? When I think about them these days I do think about the all the fun we had, the apple picking, the easter egg hunts, the sleep overs, but I mostly cringe at the fact that we let ourselves grow apart this way. What happened? Was it the distance? Or were we not as good friends as I thought? Either way, I've known these girls practically all my life, and we've shared so much that there is no way I will ever forget them. They will forever be a huge part of my life and who I am. I cherish every time I get to talk to them, even if it is only a short facebook message, but it hurts to know how much has changed. I wish we could go back to how things were, when we were best friends forever.