George Chmiel: Leaving Wednesday

George is leaving for Egypt on Wednesday morning! If you have not already been, stop by his blog and leave a comment. Show your support!

Share the story of George and his courageous run, not on the smooth paved road, but in the grueling sun-parched sands of the Sahara Desert.

That's right. 155 miles in temperatures as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit. And he will be carrying his gear and a ration of water.

He will be able to take a break in the evening at the virtual oasis: a tent where runners can send word back to those of us feverishly waiting on word from them.

George has been training hard these last few weeks. Stop by and leave him a note wishing him well. And while you are there, why not take a minute to donate to the MAGIC Foundation?

After all, if George Chmiel can run across the Sahara for Luci...

What would you do to save a child?

Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request. ALL proceeds through December 31, 2009, are being donated to Autism Research Foundation.

Meet Luci: George Chmiel's Inspiration

Here she is. Luci is George's inspiration in running across the Sahara.

She is a charming three-year-old who suffers from panhypopituitarism. It causes her hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, adrenal insufficiency, growth hormone deficiency and partial diabetes insipidus. Her little system is not strong enough to fight off a common cold. In spite of all of that, she loves to read and play with the family dog.

Jolie and Mike (Mommy and Daddy) have to give her medicine and injections everyday. And the frequent flier miles are accumulating between home and Texas Children's Hospital.

How do they do it? With the support of other families of children with growth disorders Luci they met through The MAGIC Foundation. Networking at the annual convention MAGIC holds in July. Meeting professionals who deal with growth disorders everyday and can provide accurate information and treatment.

The MAGIC Foundation is a501(c)(3) charity which operates on donations. Jolie and Mike host a "Walk for Luci" each fall to benefit MAGIC.

This year George Chmiel is going to run across the Sahara Desert to raise money and awareness for panhypopituitarism for MAGIC. And he leaves in five days. And this is where he is going:


Are you up for 155 miles across THAT? ^^^

George is tackling it after only running for two years. If he can do that, what can you do to help save a child? How about some ideas?

• Stop by George's page on MAGIC and donate directly to the cause.
• Pass this link to everyone you know who cares about children or has a special needs child.
• Go to George and Luci's website to learn more and donate.
• Join The MAGIC Foundation. Your membership will get special families the information and help they need for their special children.
• Let your doctor know about The MAGIC Foundation. Let your clinic get the best information available to diagnose children properly.
• Learn more about the disorders which affect children and are effectively treated with growth hormone.
• Show your support by joining The MAGIC Foundation's cause on Facebook, inviting your friends and donating.

George is only $18,000 away from the total goal of $53,000. Would your employer or physician sponsor George or donate directly to MAGIC? Help support a champion.

Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request. All proceeds from Virginia's Dream are been donated to the Autism Research Foundation from now until December 31, 2009.

What a finish line!

Does this just not look like the most beautiful finish line for anyone? This is where George will cross the finish line in his race across the Sahara!

After 155 miles, seeing the pyramids rising out of the Giza plateau (and knowing it is not a mirage) has got to be a comforting thought. Let's hope it fills George with a renewed energy to push toward the finish line for Luci!

George is running to raise awareness and money for the MAGIC Foundation* and panhypopituitarism. Panhypopituitarism is a disorder which affects the pituitary gland: The master gland which tells the body to produce hormones like growth hormone, adrenaline and estrogen or testosterone. With panhypopituitarism, the pituitary gland does not send enough signals to the glands of the body to produce what is needed to grow, mature or even live.

Luci will need treatment for her entire life. Learn more about panhypopituitarism. George is running across the desert to get your attention. Let him know you are listening by joining the MAGIC Foundation and/or making a donation.

* The MAGIC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible.

Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request. All proceeds from purchases through December 31, 2009 from Virginia's Dream are being donated to the Autism Research Foundation.

A stark contrast

What a BEAUTIFUL morning on my mountain! The breeze is crisp, and the air is cool. (No, that's not my mountain. Read on!)

It makes me want to bottle it up so George can take it with him. I am sure he would love to open a bottle and have a sweet, cool breeze caress his face after running in THAT all day! --->

Did you know there were going to be about 150 others competing in the Sahara race? It is one of the legs of 4Deserts Series, which includes the Atacama Crossing (Chili), Gobi March (China) and the Last Desert (Antarctica).

George is going to have to carry his clothes, gear and his ration of water. As if 140 degrees, the blazing sun and sand were not enough, you read that right: ration of water. Participants are given equal portions of water to keep the race fair.

The race will feature a cyber tent so the participants can email and blog and send their results to friends and family around the world eagerly anticipating word of their progress.

If you have not already done it, you need to learn more about George, Luci and why he is willing to take on this grueling race. Amazing what one will do for the love of a child.

Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request. All proceeds from Virginia's Dream through December 31, 2009 will be donated to the Autism Research Foundation.

What would you do to save a child?

The time has come to turn a new page and begin a new adventure.

As most of you know, I spend an inordinate amount of time promoting non-profit organizations in their various endeavors to make our planet a better place. Now, I am making a commitment of a larger proportion.

I shared with you my personal story of choosing human growth hormone for our son. Now, I would like to share with you another, more touching, more courageous story.

George Chmiel is going to run (not walk) 155 miles across the Sahara desert. Let that monumental undertaking sink in for a moment. Why would anyone do that? You ask.

Luci Horvath. She is 3 years old. She has panhypopituitarism. All of the hormones produced by her pituitary gland are decreased, and the condition will last her whole life.

George is a family friend who saw the daily struggles of this family first hand. He wants the world to understand this rare disorder which affects Luci. To do just that, he is going to run across the Sahara Desert.

All of the money he is raising is going to the MAGIC Foundation*. MAGIC is the premiere authority on growth disorders affecting children.

So, I have to ask you...What would you do to save a child?

Charitably yours,
Ann Marie

*MAGIC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity. All donations to MAGIC Foundation are tax deductible.


Visit Virginia's Dream. International shipping available on request. All proceeds from purchases through December 31, 2009 from Virginia's Dream are being donated to the Autism Research Foundation.