Michael Walls’ Birthday Fundraiser

For my birthday, I am asking for contributions to Erythromelalgia Warriors.

Two and a half years ago I was diagnosed with Erythromelalgia (“EM”), a rare (1.3 per 100,000 people) neuro-vascular chronic pain condition. Since then, my life has been a whirlwind of pain and diminished mobility and change. Most of my doctors have never seen another patient with EM. Erythromelalgia Warriors has been by far, the most reliable source of information I have found for myself, and others like me. I can’t imagine what living with Erythromelalgia would be like without Erythromelalgia Warriors.

Erythromelalgia Warriors is a non-profit, volunteer-led international support group headquartered in the U.K. It is dedicated to raising awareness of EM and educating, encouraging and empowering all those affected by EM and its comorbidities. It provides invaluable 24-hour on-line and offline outreach services world-wide.

EM is so rare that most doctors are unfamiliar with it. For that reason, it’s difficult for patients to find doctors who will take them. EM mostly affects feet and hands but can affect other parts of the body. It causes flares characterized by redness, swelling, pain, tingling and pins and needles. The most common triggers are temperatures above 60, stress, exercise, alcohol and certain foods. Flares may last a few minutes, hours, days or weeks. In some cases, they may be virtually constant. EM typically brings with it certain other conditions and diseases that include: Peripheral Neuropathy, Raynaud, autoimmune conditions, Diabetes, several blood cancers, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid and Osteo Arthritis, Asthma and Psoriasis. EM is debilitating. There is no known cure and remission is rare. Sufferers often become house bound, wheelchair bound or bedbound. In severe cases, sufferers sometimes resort to amputation.EM is sometimes called, “The Suicide Disease” because of its high rates of depression and suicide.

EM can be a very lonely, scary experience. To have a community of people who can fill those voids plus provide you with heroes much worse off than you who keep on keeping on while still smiling, is a godsend. That’s Erythromelalgia Warriors.

Today, I am asking you to stand with me in helping Erythromelalgia Warriors continue its commitment to provide support for people with EM who need it most. Please donate.

Thank you for your compassion for people who have Erythromelalgia. It means a lot to me.

Michael

WHO ARE THE EM WARRIORS?

The Erythromelalgia (EM) Warriors are a dynamic non-profit international organisation dedicated to educating, encouraging and empowering all those living with or affected by erythromelalgia and its comorbidities.

A volunteer-led support and information network, they provide invaluable free 24-hour online and offline outreach services world wide.

THEIR MISSION:

To empower lives touched by erythromelalgia by facilitating the tools for self-advocacy and to raise awareness and to promote understanding of EM by developing innovative social media campaigns and educational resources, and sponsoring independent research.

THEIR VISION:

A world where there is greater understanding of EM and where the hope of a cure becomes reality.