May Awareness Month – Awareness Templates

FUNDRAISER TEMPLATE FOR DONOR ASK

SUBJECT

Help me help

EMAIL BODY

Dear Friends and Family,

I have joined the challenge for Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) Awareness Month this May by participating in the [___] to raise awareness and funds for The Ehlers-Danlos Society [in honor/memory of ___]. You can support me by donating to my fundraising page: ____. Together, even a small amount can make a huge difference!

{Insert Personal Story}

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of disorders that affect the body’s connective tissues including the skin, joints, blood vessels, gut, and many other organs and tissues. These disorders arise because of abnormal production and function of collagen and allied connective tissue proteins. EDS affects more than one in 5000 people, and people of all genders, races, and ages. EDS is a chronic, life-long condition.

The signs and symptoms of EDS are many, and vary between the different types. They may also vary between members of a family with the same type of EDS. The signs and symptoms include fragile skin with poor healing, bruising and bleeding, and abnormal scarring; ease of joint injury, widespread joint pain, dislocations, low muscle tone, and muscle contractures; abnormal musculoskeletal structure such as kyphoscoliosis, hip dysplasia, and short stature; changes in eye structure such as thinning of the cornea; abnormalities of the teeth and gums; and, in some of the rarer types life-threatening complications such as heart valve disease, rupture of organs, and aneurysm formation and rupture of major blood vessels.

Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) is diagnosed when the musculoskeletal complications of joint hypermobility and joint instability (ease of injury, joint pain, and dislocations for example) arise in a person who does not have the defining features of an underlying syndrome such as EDS or other heritable disorders of connective tissue.

In addition, several related disorders are observed in a number of people with EDS and with HSD. These add complexity to the presentation of their condition and its management. Such related disorders include for example functional bowel disorders; autonomic dysfunction; severe chronic fatigue; neurological concerns including cord and nerve entrapment and sensory neuropathy; immune hypersensitivity; anxiety disorders and depression; and, ADHD.

The Ehlers-Danlos Society is a global community dedicated to saving, and improving the lives of, those affected by the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, hypermobility spectrum disorders, and related conditions. Our goal is world-wide awareness, and better quality of life for all who suffer from these conditions, regardless of geography.

Please support me as I overcome my challenges with [EDS/HSD] {to participate in the ____ OR help me honor ___ with my participation in the ___} and donate to my fundraising page: ____.

Thank you for your support,

[YOUR NAME]