Meet Amanda

At this year's PDSA conference, Lance, Brian and Kenda met Amanda. Like Jacob, Amanda also lives with ITP. Amanda was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and is currently a senior at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas majoring in Psychology and minoring in Religious Studies.

Amanda will be volunteering for us during Peak Performance weekend. We asked her a few questions to get to know her a little bit better. If you are at either event, make sure to say hello to her. Thanks, Amanda, for coming to Kansas City and more importantly, for volunteering and doing your part to educate and inform others about ITP.

When were you diagnosed with ITP and how long have you lived with it now?

I was diagnosed with ITP when I was 15 years old and have now lived with ITP for about 7 years.

What has been the most challenging part of living with ITP? How do you deal with it? 

The most challenging part of living with ITP for me is the fatigue. I deal with it as anyone else with ITP deals with it. I try not to let it affect plans that I have or things that I do.

How did you find PDSA and how have they helped you?

My father actually found PDSA when I was first diagnosed. PDSA has helped me because I became more aware of what I was dealing with and I was brought to others going through the same thing.

Why did you decide to volunteer in Kansas City by yourself?

Because I have wanted to volunteer for something ITP related for a long time now and this caught my attention and was the right time.

How has ITP changed your life, if at all?

ITP has changed my life completely, if it weren't for ITP I would not be as strong as I am today. ITP also made me realize that there are more important things in life and not to take things for granted.

Silent Auction - Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier

Value » Products $235 / Private Party for Six $200

I only recently discovered Laura Mercier and was super excited when our friend donated this amazing gift basket, along with a skincare and makeup class for six people. Their makeup brushes are especially wonderful, so soft and offer great control during application. To see the full line of Laura Mercier products and offerings, click here.

This generous gift basket includes:

Full Size Eye Basic

Full Size Primer

Full Size One Step Cleanser

Full Size Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer

Full Size Lip Glace

Deluxe Candlelight Mineral Powder

Deluxe Universal Setting Powder with Fan Brush

Deluxe Nude Tinted Moisturizer

Deluxe Tone Perfecting Eye Gel

Deluxe Fig Creme

Private Make-Up and Skin Care Consultation for Six

Laura Mercier beauty experts will customize a skincare program and 

makeup wardrobe, complete with the latest tips, tricks and trends straight

from the runway. Your party will be at Nordstrom at Oak Park Mall.

Hors d'oeuvres will also be served for your party and guests.

Live Auction - Ryder Cup Trip

Thanks to a very generous and anonymous donor, we've just received a HUGE live auction item that will be a hot bidding item for the Friday kick off event. Golf fans will be fighting for this special trip to see the Ryder Cup in the fall. You can find more Ryder Cup details here.

Includes....

2 tickets to the Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club

(Saturday & Sunday)

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3-night stay at the Westin Chicago River North

September 28 – October 1

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Round trip transportation from the Westin to Medinah each day

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Official 2012 Souvenir

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Staff on Site to Assist

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Breakfast

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Includes All Taxes and Gratuities

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PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE AIRFARE

Fundraising Challenge

In addition to our corporate sponsorship and event fundraising for Peak Performance, we're also having a challenge. Anyone can participate and there are two great prizes.

1. For every $500 raised, you'll get a $50 gift card to Best Buy.
2. The top fundraiser will win an iPad!

Details can be found here. Good luck everyone!

Silent Auction - Go Chiefs!

As the clock ticks down to our weekend of events, auction items are rolling in and they are absolutely fantastic. Thanks to a good friend who is a Chiefs season ticket holder, we are auctioning off some amazing seats for one of the most coveted games of the football season – the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Oakland Raiders on October 28. You're practically on the field here. Bidding will start at $200 but you'll have to come to the event for your chance to bid!

Mike Breen

photo by Maria Bodnar Madsen / Phoenix, Arizona

Musician/Artist/Songwriter Mike Breen will be opening up the Benefactor/Kick Off party during the registration and cocktail hour. Mike is from Phoenix, Arizona and is flying to Kansas City for this special performance (he is engaged to one of our committee members!). Read more about Mike and listen to samples of his music here and here.

Live Music Friday

The Bottom Feeders Band will be our featured live

entertainment Friday night at the Benefactor/Kick Off Party.

You can listen to samples of their music here.

You are Invited

Join us Friday, Saturday or the whole weekend!

Thank You Sponsors

Fundraisers, no matter how big or small, cannot be accomplished without the generosity of local businesses and corporate sponsors. A big, huge shout out to the sponsors above, we couldn't have done it without you. On behalf of PDSA, thanks a million!

Cinco 5K Nets 2K for PDSA

Everyone is pumped and ready to go!

Our oldest runner and a running legend in Kansas City.

Benji - Best Dressed Dog

Harper ran fast and furious for the Cinco 5K.

Lots of pink and purple at the starting line.

Tiffany and Jeremy have a cousin with a ITP.

Mariachi singer added fun Cinco vibe to the afternoon.

Della January, Peak Performance committee chair with best dressed winner, Jeanne.

The pint-sized volunteers making sure we all stay hydrated.

The amazing 5K committee led by Kami Muehleberger (far right).

Last year, we held the 5K early the morning after our kick-off party. One year and a nasty hangover later, we realized the 5K had to be held on on a separate weekend. Since the event was on May 5, a Cinco de Mayo theme was set in place and we had a wonderful afternoon of exercise and margaritas, raising nearly $2,000 for PDSA at this event.

About 75 runners came to sweat it out for the hot afternoon run; the route was challenging with a lot of hills and cul-de-sac detours. Prizes were awarded for....

Best costume: Jeanne Rohner

Fastest Woman: TBA

Fastest Man: TBA

For more photos and other updates, please check out our Facebook page. Photos by Jessica Hartzog and Linh Trieu

2012 5K Fun Run

Logo designed by Scott Shaffer.

5K ON 5/5

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May 5, 2012

Loch Lloyd Health Club

Registration: 11 am - 12:30 pm

Race Starts: 1:00 pm

Last year, the 5K Fun Run was scheduled for the morning after our kick-off party. The party, graciously hosted by Loch Lloyd residents Jayson and Maureen Kuti, went on until the wee, wee hours. Which doesn't really translate into big participation numbers for an 8 a.m. race, does it? Well, we've learned our lesson! This year's 5K will be held separately on May 5th and it will start in the afternoon. Of-age participants will be able to reward themselves with margaritas after the run; chips, salsa and non-alcoholic beverages for everyone of course.

Since it'll be on Cinco de Mayo, this will be a themed 5K race. You can wear your race shirt OR dress in theme for a chance to win the Best Dressed Award for a team or participant. If you'd like to register by mail, e-mail race coordinator Kami Muehleberger (5muehlbergers@gmail.com) for a registration form. Forms can be mailed in or dropped off to the Loch Lloyd Health Club with your check. If you'd like to register on-line, click here and choose the Kansas City location.

Some shots of our runners from 2011 below. Photos by Brandon Bamesberger.

Welcome

Meet Jacob & Lance