Annie's college friends

Four Seattle Pacific University students keep up with Annie's blog: Alexandra, Allyson, Meredith and Sara. Sara is the daughter of the owner of the roofing company where Bill works now. They have been touched by the circumstances of Annie's illness, and came up with a wonderful idea to help educate people about Addison's disease, and help families at Children's Hospital.

These compassionate and ambitious young women are spearheading the "Student Charity Golf Tournament" to benefit Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center "uncompensated care" and the "Addison's Education Program."

"How?" you ask. Well, the "Uncompensated Care" division at Children's Hospital provides financial assistance for families in need. And because Seattle Children's Hospital is a regional hospital serving families from Alaska, Montana, Idaho and Washington, some of these families need help with housing, gas, and food while their children are hospitalized. This golf tournament will help make a huge difference in these families' lives--so that their attention can be focused on their kids, and not on the enormous costs of being there.

The Addison's Education Program is a way to help medical professionals identify this easily treated disease. Because it's a relatively uncommon disease, and downright rare in children of Annie's age, the diagnosis is often missed, with devastating and sometimes fatal results. However, properly diagnosed, Addison's is easily treated. We are hoping to provide educational materials for physician's offices and emergency rooms to highlight the symptoms so that people can get the timely care they need.

The Seattle Pacific University Student Charity Golf Tournament is at Harbour Pointe Golf Club, Mukilteo, Washington, on November 10th, 2007. Details are on www.annaleesullivan.org.

I have to tell you how impressed I am by the actions of these young women in putting this golf tournament together. I'm looking forward to seeing the fruit of their labors!

Jean