Here is a flyer for this year’s walk (August 10, 2013). Feel free to print and distribute these anywhere you feel they would be useful. If you don’t have the means to print them, contact us and we can give you some printed flyers to hand out, if you’d like to help us with the footwork. I hope everyone enjoys!
I’ve recently had some inquiries about Valley Fever in animals, etc, which inspired me to upload some of the handouts we distributed at last year’s walk. They are attached here.
Hi everyone!
There are some overdue announcements to make for those of you who do not visit our Facebook page. At the end of last year we began a transition into me (Jessica Einstein) being the new liaison for the foundation, taking over most of Sandra’s responsibilities. She is still available for everyone to talk to and still has plenty of input, but I am fielding the general inquiries and day-do-day management tasks.
As such, you may notice the website is a little different currently– pardon the mess, I am in the midst of redesigning the site. I would like to remind everyone to please go “Like” our Facebook page (linked above), so you may see the most current updates of what we are doing, etc. Since I am giving this site a makeover, I hope to add things like a list of Valley Fever specialists that you may search according to your geographical region, and links to some of the more recent newsworthy events such as the California prison evacuations.
Finally, I am happy to announce that although the golf tournament was unable to be held this year, we do in fact have big plans for the walk this year, and have been chosen to host a conference involving the CDC, NIH, and other agencies to fully bring more awareness on Valley Fever to the area. The walk is August 10 and a flyer will be posted soon with details.
If anyone has suggestions for the website, please leave them here or use the contact form to submit ideas. I appreciate any input!
Thank you, and stay healthy.
This project results from a new venture – the Reporting On Health collaborative – which involves the Bakersfield Californian, the Merced Sun-Star, Radio Bilingüe in Fresno, The Record in Stockton, Valley Public Radio in Fresno and Bakersfield, Vida en el Valle in Fresno, the Voice of OC in Santa Ana and ReportingonHealth.org. The collaborative is an initiative of The California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
The Valley Fever Americas Foundation is planning a “Walk for Valley Fever Awareness” Saturday morning, August 11, 2012 in Bakersfield. The number of cases is on the rise for humans and for animals, yet there are still too many who consider Valley Fever to be a myth or a joke. Many have never heard of it at all! As you know, when symptoms aren’t taken seriously, or when Valley Fever is missed as a possible diagnosis, the result is unnecessary suffering and loss.
The early morning walk will be held on the grounds of the Kern County Museum on Chester Avenue in Bakersfield. Valley Fever information stations for humans and for pets will be available along the route of the walk, as well as a memory scroll for inscribing the name of loved ones lost to the disease.
We are not asking walkers to solicit pledges for this walk. What we ask is that you encourage friends and family to be there. Every person who joins us increases the odds that a life will be saved because of what is learned that morning. If you live too far away to be there, please consider a donation to help cover the costs of the walk. Any funds left over will be used for research and awareness activities.
So mark Saturday, August 11, 2012 on your calendar! Come have a cup of coffee and a stroll, a walk, or a run. If you have questions or suggestions, contact me at VFAF@bak.rr.com or 661-331-7639. I look forward to hearing from you! Sandra Larson, Executive Director
By the way, walkers are welcome to bring the family dog on a leash! After all, dogs get valley fever too!
.Monday May 21th, 2012
Bakersfield Country Club
Presented by the Rotary Clubs of Bakersfield
Sponsorships available $75 to $10,000
2011 Christmas Concert Video (Click for details)
2011 Christmas Concert Poster
You can help.
You probably already know that we are in the midst of a bad Valley Fever season. According to the Kern County Public Health Department cases are sharply up. There is no cure for Valley Fever, and the best treatment is only partially effective. It is time to have a public discussion about this disease.
Join us.
Valley Fever Awareness Week will be the week of April 10. Lunch, a VF PANEL PRESENTATION AT HODELS, and a new video are available to you on April 13 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Hodel’s restaurant. Please come and bring a friend.
What can be done?
Let your legislators know that you think California should continue to help fund the research for a vaccine to prevent the disease. Through the California Department of Public Health, the state has been a partner in the research effort to find a vaccine. Without their continued participation the research effort will be greatly diminished resulting in time lost, continued suffering, and high medical costs for both the public and private sector of our economy.
Make a contribution!
If you cannot join us, please enclose a contribution to help in the research. We are not a big enough market to entice the support of large pharmaceutical companies for this effort, so we have to do it on our own. If we are to conquer this disease, we need the support of the people, someone like you. Please help. Hope to see you there!
Monday May 23th, 2011
Bakersfield Country Club
Presented by the Rotary Clubs of Bakersfield
Sponsorships available $75 to $10,000
If you live in California, PLEASE send a letter supporting continued funding for Valley Fever vaccine research and development to your representatives in Sacramento. The address for members of the California Assembly, Senators and the Governor is simply Capitol Building, Sacramento CA 95814, and can be as simple as a brief handwritten note.
Take a look at a letter that was delivered to Senator Dean Florez, Senate Majority Leader (D:Shafter), at the end of May. (Florez Letter) The original letter was signed by the leadership of the Valley Fever Americas Foundation, Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Bakersfield and concerned citizens participating in the Annual Valley Fever Benefit Golf Tournament. You are welcome to use this letter as a model. It will be more powerful if you substitute your own examples and reasons.
If you are looking for information describing the current situation, follow this link (link). Continuing education for community leaders at all levels is necessary to keep the problem visible. You can do this!! It would be great if you would also send a copy by email to VFAF@bak.rr.com.