| Make a donation to Amyloidosis Foundation click here for donation form or get one from Kim. Kim will collect the donation forms and get them to the Amyloidosis Foundation throughout the season. Amyloidosis is a group of many diseases in which many different types of proteins accumulate in the body organs & tissue. These deposits damage the structure & function of the tissues & cause serious disease, which is often fatal if it affects major organs & is not treated. |
| Become a member of AUSA, General John W Vessey Chapter Click here for the membership application form or get one from Kim. Kim is promoting an AUSA Membership Drive this year for the Chapter. Since 1957, the General Vessey Chapter of the Association of the United States Army has worked to support all aspects of the soldiers and their family while advancing the interests of America's Army and the men and women who serve. For over 50 years the Vessey Chapter, an entirely volunteer organization, has been actively working to improve & support the lives of all Military Service Members & their families living in Minnesota and the surrounding states. |
What is Amyloidosis? Amyloidosis is a group of diseases in which one or more organ systems in the body accumulate deposits of abnormal proteins. The name "amyloidosis" was first used more than 100 years ago but cases were described over 300 years ago. However, only within the past 20 years have physicians understood the specific make-up and structure of amyloid protein. Although amyloidosis is not cancer, it is very serious. It may be disabling or life threatening. However, growing awareness of the condition seems to be leading to substantial new research and treatment alternatives. There are three major types of amyloidosis that are all very different from each other: 1. PRIMARY AMYLOIDOSIS is a plasma cell disorder which originates in the bone marrow and is usually treated with chemotherapy. It is the most common type of amyloidosis in the United States, with estimates of up to 2000 cases diagnosed each year, and occasionally occurs with multiple myeloma. The deposits in this type of the disease are made up of immunoglobulin light chain proteins which may be deposited in any bodily tissues or organs. The disease results when enough amyloid protein builds up in one or more organs to cause the organ(s) to malfunction. The heart, kidneys, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract are most often affected. Normally, bone marrow makes protective antibodies, which are proteins that protect against infection and disease. After they have served their function, these antibodies are broken down and recycled in the body. With amyloidosis, cells in the bone marrow produce antibodies that cannot be broken down. These antibodies then begin to build up in the bloodstream. Ultimately, they leave the bloodstream and can deposit in the tissues or organs as amyloid. 2. SECONDARY AMYLOIDOSIS is caused by a chronic infection or inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, familial Mediterranean fever, osteomyelitis, or granulomatous ileitis. The deposits in this type of the disease are made up of a protein called the AA protein. Medical or surgical treatment of the underlying chronic infection or inflammatory disease can slow or stop the progression of this type of amyloid. 3. FAMILIAL (or HEREDITARY) AMYLOIDOSIS is the only type of amyloidosis that is inherited. It is a rare form of the disease which is found in families of nearly every ethnic background. The deposits in this type are most commonly made up of the transthyretin protein which is manufactured in the liver. It is a mutation of such a protein that causes this form of amyloidosis. 4. OTHER TYPES OF AMYLOIDOSIS include localized amyloid, b2 micro globulin amyloid, and Alzheimer's disease. Localized types of amyloidosis are associated with hormone proteins, aging, or specific areas of the body, and have not been found to have systemic implications. The type of amyloidosis which is due to the b2 micro globulin protein may affect people who have been on dialysis for a significant length of time. In Alzheimer's disease, the amyloid protein in the brain is called the b-amyloid protein. |
| Every year the Vessey Chapter through the Toys4Military Kids program supports our troops and their families during the holiday season. For more information or to donate contact: Souts Manivanh at smanivanh@mnwire.com or 651-642-1800 Toys4Military Kids Att:Souts Manivanh 1835 Energy Park Drive Saint Paul, MN 55108 The Vessey Chapter’s Toys4Military Kids Program is honored to support our military service members and their families during the 2009 Holiday Season. The program provides toys and gifts or provides funding to buy gifts for the children of military units, Family Readiness Groups (FRG) and individual military families in need. This is the least we can do to show our appreciation for their sacrifices. This is made possible through the generous contributions of our community and our AUSA members. AUSA is a non profit organization and our mission is to be the voice for the Army whose soldiers are in harm’s way every day, and to support their families who are integral to our community. The Vessey Chapter and Contributors of the Toys4Military Kids are looking forward to working with you on making this a memorable holiday season! |
REED LUEPKE 3yr old Reed Luepke was just like any other young boy, he enjoyed playing cars with his dad, going to the local dirt track races with his family, playing with his sister & spending time doing things every little boy does. In the beginning of Oct 2009 both Reeds and his family’s world turned upside down in a day. In early October Reed became ill, and with the concern of the H1N1 virus his parents took him to their family physician. After some testing Reed came back negative for the H1N1 virus and was diagnosed with the flu, however the Doctor was concerned about possible Pneumonia & placed Reed on antibiotics to rid any infection of the lungs. As a day or 2 passed it seemed as though the young man was getting better and taking to the antibiotics, however things were about to change. As the week went by Reed became tired all the time & his skin color wasn’t back to normal, concerned the family took Reed back to his Doctor on Monday October 19th where additional testing would be done. The family returned home after the Doctors visit and figured results would take a day or so. Soon the phone rang, it was the family Doctor, he instructed the family that they need to get Reed to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay right away & that the hospital was waiting for them. It was at this point where everything was about to change for the Luepke family. Once Reed was admitted to the Hospital the Doctors told the Luepke family what their suspicions were, the Doctors were 95% sure that Reed had Leukemia. Additional testing would have to be done to make sure & the family would not know the positive result until the next day. The Luepke family went from a healthy average family to one that was devastated by hearing the news no parent would want to hear, having a sick child. As the family waited throughout the night by their sons hospital bed, they wondered why and how as they cried and tried to come to terms with this frightful news. On Tuesday Oct 20th the Doctors suspicions were confirmed, indeed this young 3yr old boy does have Leukemia. A barrage of testing would be done the next few days with Reed being poked & prodded in preparation to begin his Chemotherapy treatments. Through these times Reed sought comfort in his racing addiction; he would play with his cars on his hospital bed & watch DVD’s of Eldora and Boone. These would not only help Reed, but the entire family partially escapes the nightmare they were facing. Reed started his Chemotherapy on Thursday Oct 22nd. There have been some ups & downs along the way, but he has been responding well & if all goes well will be able to come home Oct. 30th. Reed & his family still have a long road ahead of them as he will have Chemotherapy for 6months & then have maintenance Chemotherapy for the next 2 ½ years. This will be quite a financial burden on the family and a benefit is being held at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Shawano WI on Jan 30th 2010. We are asking if you would be willing to donate any items that can be used as silent auction, or bucket drops. We appreciate anything you can do to help this young man and his family. Donations can be sent to: Reed Luepke Benefit N4255 Range Line Rd. Clintonville WI 54929 Also a monetary donation can made to the Family by sending it to: Reed Luepke Benefit Premier Community Bank PO Box 664 Bonduel WI 54107 |
| Here are some special events that I will be working with and hope you will join in!! |
| Carrie Peters Curtis Benefit January 8th at the Radisson in Roseville, MN Featuring Minnesota's most requested comedian - C. Willie Myles! He is called America's Everyday Comedian because of his non- offensive humor. Carrie's friends were also able to book 36sunrise, a great up and comming band who is making their mark on the Minnesota Music Scene and beyond. Also before and during the evenings' entertainment we will have a silent auction just outside the ballroom for all attendees to bid on. On July 15th, 2009 Carrie Peters Curtis age 39, went to the doctor because she thought she might have the dreaded H1N1. Carrie works with the public and has two small children at home so she really wanted to make sure she wasn’t sick with anything contagious. The first tests were confusing; her white blood cell count was too high to read. They had to get another machine in order to read her blood test! The new machine confirmed the worst. Carrie had leukemia and she was to be admitted to the hospital that night. Once Carrie was admitted her body almost immediately broke down. Carrie was intubated for the next three weeks. When Carrie recovered the doctors were amazed she had lived through it. They said she was the sickest patient they ever had- that didn’t die! Carrie has Acute Myeloid leukemia and her only chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant which she will undergo in November. Carrie already has been receiving bills from her first stay in the tens of thousands- after insurance has paid it’s portion. To help her out, many of her friends and family are organizing a benefit. |