Because we're talking about chronic illnesses today, I thought it was a great time to mention the fact that I'm participating in a (deeply excellent) fundraiser for Dana, who many of you know through The Broke Ass Bride. Dana and I started blogging at almost exactly the same time, and she's been a phenomenal member of the APW community for, well, a lot of years.
So, here is the thing. Dana has an autoimmune disease (which she wryly pointed out to me over margaritas in LA a few months back, "Is kind of why I'm Broke-Ass.") And I know a thing or two about autoimmune diseases, because, well, my mom has a very serious one. And what I know about autoimmune diseases is this: they take over your life, and you have to fight really really hard to live a vigorous, vibrant life despite the G-D disease, and Dana is doing that and I'm in awe.
You can read more about Dana's story here, but in short, her immune system attacks her eyes causing dangerous inflammation, visual disturbances and blurriness. It is incurable and will cause blindness if left untreated. And! Last month her left eye came out of remission and she needs her 12th (!) surgery to manage the inflammation.
Which makes me want to punch the disease in the mouth, but! It turns out there was something simpler I could do to help, and that was to contribute David's A-FREAKING-MAZING (and I'm a foodie, I don't joke) beef stew recipe to Dana's comfort food cookbook. The cookbook is being sold to help raise money for Dana's next round of necessary surgery. And if there is one thing I love about the blogging community, it's about how we all pitch in to help each other when times get tough.
So. What can you do to help? And what do you get out of it?
For starters you can donate anything, from a penny on up, to get access to all recipes on the blog, including David's amazing stew. I can guaranteeyou that it's worth a lot more than a penny, since it's my favorite of all the things he makes. Or, you can donate $10, and get a PDF of the whole cookbook, with your name in the acknowledgements. And there is more, but I'll let you check it out yourself.
So heal, Dana. And heal all of us, who are dealing with the burden of autoimmune diseases in our lives. Now go check it out (I'm serious. You'll be wanting that stew recipe...)
yay Dishing for Dana! this is a great cause. and talk about a GENIUS fundraising idea. <3 looking forward to trying the stew recipe!
April 19, 2011 1:20 pm
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I’m definetly going to donate. Very kind of you to post for your friend Meg. I’ve suffered from uveitis myself in the past and while thats not an easy battle for anyone- I am fortunate enough to be a proud Canadian citizen. So my struggles are limited to health… I feel for the financially burdened Americans.
~Much love (and a few pennys) from the Great White North.
April 19, 2011 1:30 pm
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As part of the Broke-Ass team, I’m so happy to see APW participating in this fundraiser. It’s really a wonderful idea to give back to everyone who donates by sharing these comfort food recipes! Plus the fundraiser not only will help cover Dana’s medical bills, but will also bring money to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association. Which makes me feel even better about participating because so many people in my life suffer from autoimmune diseases.
Thanks for blogging about this, Meg!
April 19, 2011 2:26 pm
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Done. I (seriously, seriously) love it when APW reminds me to be a better person in ways that are totally unrelated to our baby family….
April 19, 2011 2:43 pm
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THIS. EXACTLY. I love APW for encouraging women-supporting-women. It can be so rare, and it is often so needed.
April 19, 2011 4:59 pm
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This has completely struck a major chord with me. My boyfriend suffers from the same condition. It is debilitating, it is draining, it is scary and unpredicable and very frustrating. Our (I suppose) saving grace is that we live in Canada where (thankfully) most of this is covered. They’re trying a new medication soon if he can get the $ for it ($1700/month) for it but his uveitis is still very uncontrolled.
Even though he and I are not engaged yet, we still talk of marriage, our wedding, and life in the future. It is scary. Money issues worry me to no end. Etc etc etc…
I adore this website and have been coming here for well over a year and have learned so much. I have felt so much love even though I have never commeted. I am grateful for this site.
What you’re all doing is amazing and so helpful. So I thank you for Dana.
Thanks to everyone who makes this website what it is.
** Hope to be commenting soon as a bride-to-be**
April 19, 2011 5:58 pm
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So glad to see food–and the sharing of food with a supportive community–being used as a tool to heal. Thanks, Meg, for sharing this opportunity to help!
April 19, 2011 9:32 pm
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Just wanted to chime in and say that I’m pretty sure this is the auto-immune disease my dad had when I was growing up. Dana, I’m pulling for you to “grow out of it,” like you say some people do in their 40s.
April 19, 2011 9:44 pm
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