Let's Make BikeforKam.com Go Viral!

A greater sense of connectedness is a huge blessing of social media.  When something goes viral on the web, we see a collective response rise up in a manner that is both inspiring and eye opening.  

Here in Troy, we’ve known and uncomfortably experienced the notoriety of news and debate that came from a post going viral, sparking an amazing conversation about social justice and equality well beyond the boundaries of our city, our state and even outside the nation.  

On a more entertaining note, a video created by Troy’s Kensington Church for use during services on Mother’s Day went viral, drawing attention to two guys who subjected themselves to simulated labor pains. As they often do with their creative production work, the church posted the video on its Facebook page and the thing went everywhere, generating media calls and stories such as this one.  The empathy it generated for Mom’s everywhere was a fun and worthy conversation.  

Today, I wish for the story of Bike for Kam 2013 to go viral.  

Kam is a beautiful young woman fighting a debilitating but little-known disease called HIBM.  HIBM is a progressive, muscle-wasting disorder caused by a gene defect. It touches those between the ages of 20-30 and although progression is slow, it typically leads to total disability within 10-15 years. 

Kam is my nephew Jason’s wife.  Kam and Jason were both raised in metro Detroit and are graduates of the Center for Creative Studies.  They now live in California. 

HIBM is called an “orphan disease” because, in a nutshell, the population of people who have it do not number enough to merit government funding and attention by pharmaceuticals.  To be blunt, it’s not a money making type of disease.  

So, to add insult to injury, those who suffer from it are forced to raise funds on their own to enable the research that WILL result in a cure.  

The lead researchers are seeing success in their work. The beautiful story of these two men uniquely qualified and gifted to wage the research war on this disease boggles my mind. Check it out here.   

The bottom line, as Kam so succinctly puts it:  it’s not about finding a cure, it’s about FUNDING a cure.

So Kam is supporting her friends as they reach for the stars and pedal their bikes like crazy to raise $40,000 to support her by taking a bike trip from Los Angeles to San Diego.  The second annual trip begins June 1.   As of this writing they have achieved 28% of their fundraising goal.  This brief, beautiful video tells their story in a far more compelling way than I could ever hope to achieve with words.  

You can visit Kam's personal blog where she shares what it is like living with a degenerative condition like HIBM.  You’ll also see there her beautiful artwork and her love of cooking, talents that are so amazing and truly define her so much that I often forget she is afflicted with HIBM.  But thanks to our connection on Facebook, I was suddenly reminded exactly what she faces on a daily basis.  I wish to invite anyone who may read my blog to join the fight.

Even just $10 a person WILL make a huge difference.  Go to BikeforKam.com and donate.  Right now.  Yes.  You!  Go on now.

Then, please, spread the word.   “Like” the Bike for Kam Facebook page.  Follow @BikeforKam on Twitter.  Share.  Tweet.  Make their efforts go viral!

#BikeforKam2013 #donate  #NoMoreHIBM  #thanks.