A Call to Facebook Users!

I was diagnosed with Intracranial Hypertension (IH) in December of 2008, but have probably had it since 2002. IH is a rare and incurable neurological disorder that can be incredibly debilitating. The disorder causes headaches that cannot be remedied by pain medicine, and the intracranial pressure can eventually lead to blindness. There are no medicines specifically for our symptoms, and the surgical options can be life threatening. The Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation (IHRF) is currently the ONLY institute in the WORLD dedicated to finding a cure for IH.

IHRF made it into the Top 100 Charities (awarded that status by votes) through Chase Community Giving - and has been awarded $25,000 so far. Round 2 Voting has started -- of the Top 100 Charities, the Charity with the most votes will receive $1 Million & the 5 runners-up will receive $100,000.

I NEED you to do this one thing for me -- all I need from you is 30 seconds of your time -- go to the IHRF’s Chase Community Giving Page http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/1000509 & Vote! (You must become a Fan of Chase Community Giving before you can cast your vote). And, PLEASE pass this along to your friends.

Thanks so much!

Thanks!!!!

I did too ... good luck!

me three!

I think the voting is done... They had a list that said the votes are in, etc... but good luck!

Yep... the voting is over. Thanks everyone who helped out.

A charity helping out child soldiers in the Congo won the top prize. Another round of giving was done by the board based on people sharing their stories on the voting pages.

We raised some awareness... won the foundation $25,000. I'm not sure, but I believe, more people may have voted than who actually are diagnosed with the disease in the US. Pretty cool support if you ask me.

Also, thanks everyone for the well wishes. My spinal tap went great last monday (I know that sounds hard to believe, but they aren't that bad if they are done right). They took off enough fluid that my high pressure headaches didn't return until Saturday, so I had a few pain free days for the first time in a few years! (A very sad realization, but I definitely realized what I was missing and have more of a reason to push my neurosurgeon). This tap was to check the pressure of my spinal fluid, take some off, and see how long it helps. So I called to the doc's office today. Now I wait to hear back. He may or may not do the surgery that I hope will help (they usually only do it to save one's eyesight, not to relieve chronic pain), but we'll see. I've come to the point in my disorder where it's time to make some real life-altering choices. If I'm going to continue to be like this, then I need to quit my day job. The good news is I have a passion that can generate some income that isn't 9-5! I appreciate all the support... you guys are the greatest!