Welcome to My Personal Page
Please join us in our efforts to support The Alpha-1 Foundation!
This is my first ride with Alpha-1 Riding For A Reason. My Sister Lori is a newly diagnosed Alpha “ZZ”. She is trying to stay positive while learning all she can about her diagnosis. She attended her first Alpha-1 Foundation National Conference along with her husband David in Miami this past June. The support and encouragement they received and the knowledge they were able to gain was incredible. I am proud to say that she has become a co-support group leader, re-starting the MA/RI support group now named, “MassAlphas”.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is progressive. There is no cure. Alpha-1 can cause serious lung and/or liver disease and as a result she has been diagnosed with moderate -severe Alpha-1 related COPD and emphysema resulting in loss of lung function.
She has been receiving augmentation therapy for the past 5 months. This is a weekly life-long IV infusion of alpha-1 antitrypsin protein that has been collected from healthy plasma donors. Lori and her family are so grateful to donors who unselfishly give their plasma to help Alpha’s. It takes 900 donors to supply what is needed for just 1 patient’s yearly treatment.
This therapy will not restore my sister’s lost lung function. The hope is that it will slow progression which can often lead to the need of supplemental oxygen or lung transplantation.
I will be riding 25 miles alongside Lori (on an E-bike) and family members on Saturday, September 28. Please help us raise awareness and show your support by donating to fund programs and research that will someday help find a cure!
Donating plasma is also a great way that friends and family members can support the Alpha in their lives! Please consider plasma donation. You can find centers in your area on this site: donatingplasma.org
On behalf of myself and my sister Lori, we thank you for your generosity and support.
With deep appreciation,
Barbara Devine
66th Overall
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16th On Team
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0 | 0 | $445 |
Points | Activities | Amount Raised |
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