Happy New Year everyone! January 1, 2016 has come and ready or not it is here. Of course it is more than just the first of the month here on It’s Just Life. It is Comments for a Cause day. Can you believe that we have been doing Comments for a Cause on the blog since April 2011? We will be going on 5 years and that is a lot of causes that have been highlighted over the years. Maybe one of my January posts will be a post listing each cause. What do you think? I think it would be fun to see them all listed in one post.
Image from Sharing House -Transylvania Christian Ministry
This past month I have focused on a local charity here in Brevard. This month it has been all about sharing at the Sharing House where compassion and crisis assistance is the focus. We are thrilled to be able to make a donation of $151.50 to Sharing House for all that they do in our area. Thank you all for taking the time to comment.
Sometimes I learn about new causes from friends and the cause for January is one that is near and dear to the heart of one of my new friends here in Connestee Falls, Marci. Marci has been instrumental in doing fundraising for years for the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias and has become involved with this organization as a result of her son, Christopher, being diagnosed with Ectodermal Dysplasias.
So what is Ectodermal Dysplasia?
The ectodermal dysplasias are inherited disorders that involve defects in the hair, nails, sweat glands and teeth. When a person has at least two types of abnormal ectodermal features—for example, malformed teeth and extremely sparse hair—the individual is identified as being affected by ectodermal dysplasia.
The conditions are a remarkably diverse group of disorders which may also affect other parts of the body. The ectoderm contributes to the formation of the lens of the eye, parts of the inner ear, the fingers and toes, and nerves, among others. Therefore, ectodermal dysplasia may cause these parts of the body to develop abnormally.
There are more than 150 different types of ectodermal dysplasias. Symptoms range from mild to severe. Only in rare cases does ectodermal dysplasia affect lifespan and very few types involve learning difficulties.
The mission of NFED is as follows:
Our mission is to empower and connect people touched by
ectodermal dysplasias through education, support, and research.
There are no cures but there are treatments available to help with the symptoms. Research is being done to find out more about the causes and treatment so any money that is raised goes to help with those efforts.
When a disease like this affects someone you love it becomes personal. Very personal. I think that that is why some of the causes that I have highlighted on It’s Just Life have hit a chord with so many of my readers. They have had family members or friends who have had that disease and when that happens that becomes the cause that is important to them and with good reason.
I am so happy to be highlighting another wonderful cause and urge you to go to the website of the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasia to find out more about what the organization is doing to help those who have this disease. You can also check out their Facebook page by clicking here.
Please comment often this month. For every comment on ANY post during the month we will make a donation of 50 cents to NFED. I post 5 times a week normally so if you come back and comment on every post that adds up. Get your friends to stop by and do the same and we can reach the cap donation of $500. This is a great organization that offers some hope and help to those who struggle daily with a disease that seems so unfair at times. Thanks for stopping by today. Your comment counts.
