Calling all people with cash and feet! Sisarina is proud to be participating in this year’s Vision Walk in Rockville on September 26th and would love your help! The Vision Walk will raise money to help the Foundation Fighting Blindness to boost research for retinal degenerative diseases.

Donate $:

Yeah, you knew it was coming. The whole point of this thing is to raise funds to help find a cure for degenerative eye diseases so what we really need is support! Yes, we will judge the depth of our friendships by how much you donate. Straight up. DONATE HERE

Walkers:

What we would also really love is some great company on this walk! It’s an easy, leisurely 5k walk and it will be way more fun if you all come walk with us! Not only will you be in good company, you’ll also get one of the aforementioned fabulous t-shirts! SIGN UP TO WALK HERE

Close to Our Hearts:

Our friend Eric is affected by hereditary retinal degenerative disease which has an effect on his family in more ways than just his losing his eyesight. Here's a letter he sent us recently:

I recently spoke about my involvement in the upcoming VisionWalk event to benefit Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB). The event is Sunday, September 26 in Rockville Town Square. This is the first VisionWalk event to occur in Montgomery County, Md., and I am on the leadership committee to help get it off the ground. My participation in the event, and with FFB, goes much deeper. FFB's mission is to raise money to assist scientists and researchers in their efforts to find a cure for degenerative retinal diseases, including Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). My family has a history of RP. It affects me, my mother, my brother, and other members of my extended family. RP is a degenerative condition that slowly limits your vision - first at night and dim lighting, then through peripheral vision, and, ultimately, causes near-total blindness. My mother is, essentially, totally blind, and has been for some time. She has never seen Kate's or Rebecca's faces. My own condition is worsening, as well - my night vision is virtually nonexistant and I haven't driven a car in nearly two years. There is no specific timetable - RP works at its own pace - but without a cure, I will also eventually lose my sight.

Please join our VisionWalk team, Team Walking Into Walls, and help us build awareness for the event and raise money for the cause on September 26. You can find more information about helping on our team page. The three of us [our family] have been successful so far in fundraising, and we are very exicited about the prospect of so many of you joining our team.

The walk event itself is shaping up to be a very fun few hours. Registration begins at 9 am and the walk begins at 10 am. The VisionWalk route is 5K (3.1 miles) winding through downtown Rockville and the surrounding neighborhoods. This is by no means a high-impact activity (the Walk attracts people with varying levels of sight, so we're not really traversing rocky terrain). At last year's event in Virginia, we took a shortcut and Rebecca [our daughter] spent a majority of the time picking flowers. The walk begins and ends in Rockville Town Square where there will be a DJ, face painting, a moon bounce, etc. Rockville Town Square, by the way, is easy to get to by car or by Metro/bus.

Thank you for reading this and thanks, in advance, for your help.

Thanks!
Eric Fulton

Anyone who knows Sisarina, knows she that she is a strong woman and embodies self-reliance and determination. While Sisarina has the luxury of being an imaginary friend, many young girls need real life encouragement and mentorship.

Luckily, girls have Erika Parkhurst. She is the brains behind the Young Women’s National Conference, an endeavor that aims to empower girls to become more confident and connect with other women leaders.

If you know a young girl aged 14-17 years old, please encourage her to attend the Young Women’s National Conference on October 24, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Girls will be treated to a full day’s agenda of motivational speakers, workshops and an opportunity to meet strong, successful women leaders.

All girls aspire to be strong and true to their identities, but may get pressured by friends, boys and the media. At the Young Women’s National Conference they will learn valuable skills to assert themselves as leaders in their community.

Registration is $25 and there are limited spots available. You can sponsor a girl or make a donation. Learn more at www.ywnc.net or follow them on Twitter @ywnc.

At Sisarina, we work hard to be role models to others in the community, that’s why you’ll find us co-hosting the Networking Session for 9th & 10th grade young women and at the Mentor Reception, meeting confident young women and future leaders.