Our Heroes . . .

... are our many volunteers. These people give of their time, talents, and hearts to support others withVHL.

We honor our hotline volunteers chaired by Peggy M.: Altheada Johnson, Robin K., Audrey C., and Alessandra and José M., who provide toll-free service for callers from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. With help from Alessandra and José we will shortly be opening telephone support services in Spanish.  

We honor our online discussion groups moderated by Gale Lugo, Gerhard Alsmeier, Heather C., Elaine Follansbee, Gale Lugo, and Karina Villar.

We honor the many contact persons in their local states, provinces, and countries who are willing to "plant the flag" and declare "VHL spoken here," and help people to know they are not alone. We are excited to welcome new contact people in Sweden, Italy and Croatia, Peru and Costa Rica.

Most of all we honor some very special people who this year have "gone the extra mile" with creative fundraising events and extraordinary personal challenges that have inspired us all.

David I. from California completed the Racewalk at the Portland Marathon for the second year, finishing in six and one-half hours. (See VHLFF, Dec 2001)

Larry B. in Oregon carried the Olympic Torch in honor of his valiant battle with VHL and kidney cancer. (VHLFF, June 2002)

Alice C. from Washington completed the Seattle Danskin Triathlon in spite of her balance problems from ELST, using a "swim angel" volunteer to help keep her on course. (VHLFF, Sept 2001)

Scott C. from New Jersey was honored for having "contributed to the betterment of our community and to the lives of others while also overcoming personal challenges related to having a disability.

Kim P. from Illinois put on a Valentine’s Day pageant for girls and boys (VHLFF, March 2002), Peggy M. from Mississippi hosted a Gospel Music Extravaganza and Cari E. from Ohio organized a pub music benefit, a bikini carwash, and a golf scramble. They earned the respect of their communities and of all of us for their creative ways of raising money for VHL research. These three people alone raised $12,217 for VHL Research.

Our thanks to all of them, and our congratulations to each and every one who is touched by VHL -- our everyday heroes who make the conscious choice each day to get up, look on the bright side, and have a happy day.