Otago University Locals Programme Raises $700 for foundation

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Otago University Locals Programme Raises $700 for Fibromyalgia Foundation in Bake Sale

Fibromyalgia is an illness marked by widespread pain, chronic fatigue, short term memory loss, lack of concentration, insomnia, and depression to name a few.

Dunedin, 3 September, 2015

Otago University Locals Programme raised over $700 for Fibromyalgia Foundation as part of their fundraising campaign for the charity. The Bake Sale on the Leith Bridge was the first of 3 events with the next two being a buffet dinner at La Porchetta and the last a Quiz Night at The Bog.

The Board Secretary of Fibromyalgia Foundation, Jeralynn Joseph is the daughter of the Chief Executive Officer, Karen Edwards who was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia earlier in 2015.

“I was shocked to hear that the bake sale raised over $700. I am totally grateful to Abigail Clark who put in all the hard work organizing and the team of helpers who made the fundraising successful – so thank you. I do hope you are just as successful for the Quiz Night and the dinner at La Porchetta” – Karen Edwards

Fibromyalgia is a very debilitating illness and it is extremely isolating as well. A lot of times, we are cast of as being lazy which hardly the case is. In fact whilst conventional medicine does not have the cause for the onset of Fibromyalgia, complementary therapies such as Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Naturopaths believe that Fibromyalgia could be brought on by various reasons.

Fibromyalgia Foundation has many goals it wants to achieve as since being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia Ms Edwards realized that the many symptoms that Fibromyalgia patients go through are debilitating and therefore programmes needto wwork around the patient and in a lot of ways not the other way around.

Fibromyalgia Foundation is currently working on fitness programmes to offer to the Foundation’s members such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates and Aqua based programmes in the Physio Pool. Another point of difference is that members will be able to access basic videos through the member portal on the website and do the exercises through the comfort of their home. Ms Edwards has a background in Accountancy by has always had a keen interest in health and fitness and therefore undertook a Sports Psychology paper through the Southern Institute of Technology and also trained to be a Zumba and Yoga Instructor. She has currently just signed up for a Naturopathy course.

Ms Edwards was the first Finance and Administration Manager at Special Olympics New Zealand in Wellington when she arrived from Singapore and is therefore familiar with the funding processes in New Zealand. However, it is a different situation now as being a new organization, it is a catch 22 situation for funding applications. Many funders are afraid of funder organizations without at least one set of financials and I can totally understand why, but, we still need to find a way to do our work for our members and pay our full time volunteers who are Fibromyalgia patients working during their “good hours” which are usually after midnight.

Ms Edwards and her full time “burning midnight oil workers” are keen in helping as many Fibromyalgia sufferers as possible as we know how isolating a disease it is.

Fibromyalgia is an isolating illness as it cannot be seen from the outside and many of us are sometimes doubted for having the illness; hence our motto is “You are no longer alone; we are here to help you through this journey”

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About Fibromyalgia Foundation

Fibromyalgia Foundation was founded on 1 June 2015 when Chief Executive Officer, Karen Edwards was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia despite telling doctors for 3 years that she knew something was wrong. Fibromyalgia can only be diagnosed by eliminating other diseases therefore it means endless blood tests and waiting for results before more blood tests. The charity obtained Charitable Status on the 6th of August 2015. If you would like more information about this topic, or about Fibromyalgia Foundation, please contact:

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