Gratitude Challenge Day #16
Chances are, this will be the most raw gratitude challenge I will write. Many of the supporters of the
MGA Triple Crown Run 5K will check their inboxes this morning and social media and see that we have made the difficult decision to transition the 2020 event to a virtual run. In the environment we are living, a large gathering of people on May 17th isn't possible. This decision has weighed on my heart and mind so much over the last few weeks that I've come to learn you can catch the Early Today Show at 3am and reruns of the Golden Girls on Lifetime air pretty much all night long. The
Myasthenia Gravis Association is in the same boat as every non profit in this city, state and country with events that are scheduled to be held in the coming weeks and months. Each non profit has a story and a need for continuing to serve in their communities. I left a job I absolutely loved 2 1/2 years ago to lead the Myasthenia Gravis Association, with a goal for us to continue to reach patients and their families across the Midwest and guys, we are doing that. We are rocking that! In 2019, we were able to add a 3rd staff person and opened a clinic partnership in St. Louis at St. Louis University. We held a record number of clinics at the University of Kansas and met with support groups in 9 different markets. We are doing things that I dreamed of us doing. It has all come together, lots of tears, lots of laughter, lots of challenges but we are leaving footprints and making waves. I wouldn't have taken a chance if I didn't think this was possible and for the last 10 years (2020 is our 10th Anniversary of the MGA Triple Crown Showdown) we have been able to financially fulfill that need. To have to transition our largest fundraiser and biggest awareness event to a virtual event is scary. It's a change we definitely weren't anticipating. We're going to survive. We will make it work. We will knock on doors and make connections but on top of the pivot to a virtual event is the devastation that for the past 10 years, every spring, my family and my friends come together and I get to connect with them IN PERSON IN THE SAME PLACE, SUPPORTING SOMETHING SO NEAR AND DEAR to me and it won't happen this year. It's pretty much my favorite weekend of the year next to lake weekends and college football kicking off! It's an opportunity to surround with some of my best college friends, my best childhood friends and my best KC friends who are geared up for a charity event that benefits a cause I love! It's a dream come true. It's a hard pill to swallow. It's tears down my face, sad.
😢 So for today's gratitude, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for all my family and friends who have supported "the run" for the last 10 years. Whether you represent the MGA on the planning committee, run, walk, donate, volunteer, sponsor, I see you, I want to hug you (from 6 feet of course!) and I appreciate you. I will never forget the contributions you have made on my behalf. There are many who come to KC for this event across the miles and I will also forever remember that. Thank you for supporting the Myasthenia Gravis Association and the individuals and families who are impacted by MG across the Midwest. You can sign up to virtually participate (
www.mga5k.com) as well as we are still accepting sponsors and donors for this years event. AND please SAVE the Date for 2021 for our actual 10th Annual MGA Triple Crown Showdown May 16, 2021. Much love and appreciation.
❤️
Picture is from the starting line in 2016.
