Journey of Hope For HG Sufferers

Success and Thanks...

2007-07-05T04:55:00.001-05:00

We walk,
On faith and determination.
We move,
Bound by dedication.

Pain shoots through our thighs,
Sun-slits mark our eyes.
The burn of frustration
As our heartbeats rise.

We stride.
Each footstep a sign
Of the tears we’ve cried.

Sun keeps on beating,
Our feet keep on feeting.
Dust rises filling the air.

Race for an answer.
Rush for a cure
Strength we find hidden
Keeps us fighting for her.

My soldiers for life,
My fighters til’ death.
My family, my friends
Til’ my last heartfelt breath.

Janis Moher

I love all of you who have fought beside me, and stood strong when I needed to lean. Thank you.

Janis here. First I want to extend an immense thank you to all who were such a tremendous part of the events that have unfolded. We made it. And I can assure each of you who participated so eagerly that it could not have been done without you. You are my family, my friends and when push comes to shove, the core of any success I have, as I know I would have fallen without your support. I love you all very much.A special thanks to my mom here as well. She was the backbone of this entire operation. Driver, supply runner, motivator, and when we were so tired we wanted to stop, she managed to get just a few more steps out of us.

More photos from the past few days...

2007-06-28T16:08:00.000-05:00

How it Began

2007-06-27T10:52:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from the morning that the Journey of Hope for Hg charity walk began this past Sunday, on June 24, 2007. Here are the brave and courageous Women that started the walk and set in motion a dream that my Sister has had since her terrifying hardship in suffering from this illness.

They are walking to bring awareness to the many members of the medical community that may not recognize Hyperemesis Gravidarum as a legitimate illness/disease, they are walking to bring hope to the many Women and Families that have suffered and are currently suffering hardships from this illness/disease, and they are walking to raise donations to help increase the amount of study and research alloted to better understanding this illness/disease in hopes of someday finding ways to help ease the suffering it causes...and maybe even someday, a cure.

Janis (left), Melissa (middle), and Crystal (right)

Getting ready to head out...photo op! :)

Getting ready at the starting line.

And they are off!!

I have just recieved word that they have made it to Burlington and will be taking the night off to help ease some painful feet, hips, legs, and tendons. All in all, they are all doing well and made it through the extreme heat that we've had here in Southern Ontario this week. They will be finishing the remainder of the walk along Lake Ontario, so I'm sure they will be taking advantage of that with many quick dips into the lake to help keep them cool.

More updates to come soon! :)

And the Journey is underway...

2007-06-26T12:27:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone, Amber here, just giving everyone an update.

The journey started this past Sunday morning in London, Ontario, where the team was greeted by the media to officially start of the walk/run. The sun was shining, spirits were high, and the momentum of the team was charismatic.

Janis, Melissa, and Crystal started out early in the morning and made it 40 kms on their first day. Pictures to come soon. :)

During one of the hottest weeks we've seen here in Ontario this year, these Women are really pushing themselves through some extreme heat. I am in awe of them. They are being smart and starting out early, breaking during the hottest hours and heading back out in the later parts of the day.

And I am thrilled to report that by this morning, they have made it half way!!! That is amazing to me! They still have three more days after today to keep walking and I'm very confident that they will make it. My Dad joined them this morning and he's looking forward to finishing the walk with them.

My Mom has been circling around them keeping fresh food and refreshments available to keep them healthy and hydrated and offering any support they need, so a special thanks goes out to my Mom and Dad for their support!! They wouldn't get through without them, that is for sure.

More to come soon!!! :)

Ashli McCall on CNN...

2007-05-31T14:53:00.000-05:00

I wanted everyone to note that Ashli McCall, author of 'Beyond Morning Sickness' who generously donated 50 books to be sold at the dinner was spotlighted on CNN yesterday, Wednesday May, 30th. The link has been removed from CNN.com now, but I am working on getting a copy. I'll keep you all updated! YAY to more progress! Thank you Ashli!

Me and Some of the Paintings...

2007-05-27T15:08:00.000-05:00

"Pilot"

18X24

Acrylic on Canvas

This is a good way for you all to be able to see the sizes of some of the paintings that will be up for auction June 30th:)

Our First Newspaper Article...

2007-05-25T08:23:00.000-05:00

Walk of Hope – Family Raising Awareness for Rare Pregnancy Disorder

By Amy Woolvett
The Coastguard

On Saturday May 5th, Gerry Moher walked alone for 5 and a half hours to raise research money and awareness for a condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum. A condition, his daughter Janis Moher suffered three lost pregnancies through. The walk from the Shelburne Municipal Building that raised $375 is a warm up to prepare for the much longer walk his daughter has been organizing in Ontario to take place between June 23rd and June 29th.

Janis, her mother, and two of her closest friends will be walking a Journey of Hope from London Ontario to Toronto finishing up the 230 kms outside the Hospital for Sick Children where a group will meet their arrival.

Gerry will be walking with them for the last three days of their journey, estimated at 50 kms per day.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is a debilitating, potentially life threatening pregnancy disease marked by rapid weight loss, malnutrition and dehydration due to unrelenting nausea and or vomiting with potential adverse consequences for the newborn(s).

“Pregnancy should be a time of joy, not a time of pain, agony and dread as it is for the women who suffer from HG”, said Gerry Moher.

According to Janis, some of her Doctors looked at her extreme nausea as a psychological disorder.

Recently Dr. Phil had a show that spotlighted the condition and the medical professions approach to it.

Janis wrote her letter to the show explaining her own story and the lack of support she received.
“I was sent a psychiatrist in Hospital with my second attempt who would wait outside my bathroom door while I wretched to tell me I was overreacting. I was just pregnant and that I must not want my baby.” She wrote.

Her three attempts for a baby were fraught with extreme sickness and weight loss.

“I could not make it past 4 and a half months. I lost 40 pounds. I was sick with blood at least 30 times a day, all day and night.

It has taken Janis two years since her last pregnancy to be able to talk about it and now she has vowed to do all she can do to spread the word and help as many women suffering with the illness as she can.
She says more research is needed to go towards finding a cure and more education to the medical field on how to treat women suffering from the condition. She hopes her walk will do that, and all funds raised will go towards research and support for women with HG.
Following her walk, there will be a fundraising dinner to help raise funds. Janis hopes the money raised will help pave the way for future women with HG so they will not have to go through what she did.
“It’s an absolutely horrible situation. Pregnant women, very ill, being told they must not want their children or must not love their husbands when they are truly fighting for their lives. It is not morning sickness, and we are trying desperately to be heard.” Explains Janis.
She has found support through the website http://www.helpher.org/ where many women suffer similar stories and let her know she is not alone.

Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom Signature Up For Auction...

2007-05-01T08:21:00.000-05:00

I have decided (painfully) to auction off my Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom Signature at the Journey of Hope for HG dinner with 100% of proceeds to be donated to research. It comes with a lifetime Certificate of Authenticity, and is framed.

****Our Help When Finding a Doctor...

2007-04-24T10:42:00.000-05:00

I have recieved multiple requests for information on counselling and 'in the know' Doctors available to HG Sufferers in Canada. Sadly, I have not found any one particular resource. My personal suggestion to get the care you need (and if you've experience HG you DO need it)...

1) Search for Grief and/or Loss counselling.
2) E-mail the name of your chosen Counsellor or Therapist to me at JourneyforHG@hotmail.com, including their FULL mailing address.
3) I will then contact Ashli McCall with the information, and she will send out one of her books with a letter from Dr. Wall.
4) I will send out another information package to the counsellor or therapist including pictures of all our efforts with the run and dinner and general info.

***(Please allow 1 month between the time you find a counsellor or Doctor, and date of first appointment booked for mailing time.)

This is an attempt to inform the medical community BEFORE you meet with them. If you come in contact with ANY medical practitioner that tries to tell you the illness is 'in your mind', or that you 'don't want your children', or 'must not love your husband'...ect...
DO NOT LISTEN and find someone else!!!! You know the truth, and we are here to back you up.

We will go through this process as many times as needed until you recieve the proper care. Hold your heads up!!!

Thank you Ashli!!!

2007-04-23T14:22:00.000-05:00

Ashli McCall, author of Beyond Morning Sickness, has generously donated 50 books to be sold at the dinner with 100% of the sales to be donated to our cause. To learn more about this wonderful book written about her own personal experiences with HG, please visit www.beyondmorningsickness.com.

She has also offered to send a copy of her book, with a letter from her Doctor to any Canadian Doc. we can give her the name and address for. Please e-mail your Doctors name and address to JourneyforHG@hotmail.com , so we can spread the awareness to the medical community, and perhaps increase the level of care and understanding given to women sufferers. This truly is the ultimate goal. Thanks everyone!!!

Thank you Dr. Phil:)

2007-04-09T20:02:00.000-05:00

From left to right: Kimber, The Doc, Ann marie and her husband Jeremy.
Thank you so much. We would have had nowhere to turn without you.

Thank you Dr. Phil for doing HG justice on your show. I've now ordered 10 tapes, and will order more, that I am going to distribute to local Doctors. Hopefully it won't be as big a job as I am anticipating to have them watch the tapes with an open mind.

Sick Kids Link....

2007-03-26T14:51:00.000-05:00

Here it is folks... we're official! We are now showing on the Sick Kids Foundation Website (click the picture):

Donation cheques can be made to 'Journey of Hope for HG'. Tax receipts will be sent out by Sick Kids Hospital for any donation made over $20.

Please contact JourneyforHG@hotmail.com for PayPal donations or ticket purchase(s).

Thanks for you continued support! :) It will help make a difference in so many lives!

Paintings Up for Auction.....

2007-03-26T08:18:00.000-05:00

Ray of Hope

18X24

Acrylic on Canvas

Janis Moher

"Castle"

Acrylic on Canvas

18X24

This was one of my two favorite mountains in Banff.

'From Darkness Comes Light'

18X24

Acrylic on Canvas

Janis Moher

Hurricane

16X20

Acrylic On Canvas

-Day Gone By-

Janis Moher

9x12 Acrylic on Canvas

Hello All, Amber here. My Sister has created some beautiful paintings to put in the silent auction that she's so sneakily hid way lower in this page. I am posting them on their own because I think they deserves some recognition. I LOVE these pieces. Some of the pictures are a little off due to the flash, but we'll work on getting better ones, and you can see how lovely it is beyond the glare. :P

Fate of Fire

16 x 20

Acrylic on canvas

-Recoil-

Acrylic on Canvas

8x10

I can't wait to see what else she comes out with...I may very well be her biggest fan. ;)

And This Is Why We are Doing This....**

2007-03-17T09:34:00.000-05:00

"My 19 year old daughter died on March 19 2002. She was 13 weeks pregnant. and had been to the hospital twice the week before and diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum." - Mother of HG Sufferer

"I am terrified. and praying every night that this won't happen to me again." - HG Sufferer

I was hospitalized my entire pregnancy. I had to give up eating completely and was fed through TPN 24 hours a day.
At one point, my mother was taken aside and told to say goodbye to me and notify family members that I may not live until morning.
At seventeen years old, a picture of health and vibrancy, I was reduced to wearing adult diapers, using a wheelchair, my grandfathers walker and bedside comode and needing an electronic hospital bed to sit myself up to vomit.
It was torture. - HG Sufferer

I looked like a skeleton and felt like I was dead. HG Sufferer

"[She] has been bedridden in darkness - with no TV, no ability to read, barely able to talk, for the last 7 weeks. A steady and heartbreaking moan can be heard coming from her room. she hangs on, because she knows if she terminates, she will never have the courage/strength to try again." Gail, NJ

"[My OB said "It would be prudent for you to go on some psychiatric medication because this sickness is connected to your psychological condition." She then told the ER doctor to send me home-that I was fine and the sickness was in my head." Ruth, Newport Beach, CA

Walkers, Runners, Artists and Friends...

2007-03-16T16:06:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to say a special thank you to my closest friends and sister who are always here to walk right beside me through life. Thank you Amber Moher, Melissa Wilk and Crystal Rieger...

Here's me loving you:)

First Hand Accounts of the Physical Effects of HG - Testimonials from the HER Foundation

2007-03-16T11:44:00.000-05:00

Testimonials from the HER Foundation

The Voices of HG from Around the World

All around the globe, HG women are speaking out.

*I saw that my Sister had posted this as a comment, but I think it deserves it's own post. I will also be adding this as a link to the sidebar of this blog.

Physical Effects of HG

"Even the most severe stomach flu could not compare to the horror I was experiencing."

"I weighed 96 lbs at one point and looked like walking death. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."

"I made it only to the 7th week, then I ended it. I was violently ill. like nothing I had ever experienced before, I had very low blood pressure, 59/39 at one point, a uterine hemorrhage, and a kidney infection, and vomiting 15-20 times a day. I was on 6 different anti-nausea drugs, and they did nothing. I still can't believe how sick I was."

"My muscles have broken down from being unable to walk without vomiting, I fractured a rib, tore my esophagus, damaged my eyes and need ten root canals."

"I was in pain from the dehydration and bawling and pleading for some relief. I went 4 weeks without eating one bite of food."

"[At] 22 weeks. [my] PICC line was removed and I was eating broth and crackers for every meal. then I got preeclampsia and was put back on bed rest. Because of my deconditioned state I never really felt like myself again... I fell and broke an ankle.. and developed a blood clot in my leg. they feel I may have actually gotten when I [had] HG." Amber D., Waukesha, WI

"I was hospitalised [from] 5 ½ weeks [until] 17 weeks with admissions till delivery, the emotional [and] physical toll were horrific. [I was] vomiting 70+ times a day, nose bleeds, torn esophagus, burst blood vessels in my eye. I gave up work, couldn't walk, couldn't eat, and lost aprox 30 pounds. I looked like a skeleton and felt. like I was dead. I tried to slit my wrists at 17 weeks but something stopped me. There is no abortion in Ireland otherwise I would have. I was so depressed after having him I couldn't work till he was 7 months old. My son has special needs." Jacqueline M., Ireland

"Some family members and friends. said that I had an eating disorder because I could not control the sickness." Kristie R.

"I now have arthritis and some "minor" bone density loss. I have lost most of my hair during pregnancies due to malnutrition. This is with nutritional IV treatments." C. H., Colorado Springs, CO

Beyond the Physical

"I would sleep on the floor of the bathroom most nights. My husband didn't understand what was happening at all and got very irritated with me. I would just cry all by myself and other times I was too sick to even react to anything at all. I have never felt so alone in my entire life." M

"There just wasn't any point in trying anymore. No one could comprehend the sheer hell I was going through. I felt so guilty because I actually wanted a miscarriage even though this child was planned and wanted. This condition is very expensive and my insurance company actually called me at my home on several occasions to ask me when I would be getting better, as if I knew!"

"A close family member asked me if I was actually bulimic and was not eating on purpose. Another accused me of just doing it for attention." Marcie H. Denver, Colorado

"Every week the home health agency would call and ask how I was feeling and if I was ready to come off the PICC line all because the insurance company was pressuring them." Angie N., West Orange NJ

The experience is so raw and scary and yes the outcome is glorious but the journey almost killed me." CR - Mill Valley, CA

Medically Misunderstood

"My doctors accused me of having an eating disorder."

"[The doctor] told me it was a mental problem and. made me see a psychiatrist. He told me. that somewhere deep inside I didn't really want to have a baby!"

"I almost died due to inadequate care."

"My best friend (24 years old) died from what I believe was HG. She died over a year ago and her condition went 7 months undiagnosed before she died. Serpil

"I can not get any treatment for this, because my doctors are saying that this is mental."

"My plea to the world of non-HGers: quit suggesting crackers! That may help for regular morning sickness, but is like suggesting a band aid to someone with a broken arm." EG , Seattle, WA

"I had seen a dozen of doctors at least. They just told me it [happens] sometimes. and it could be psychological. The illness is nearly unbearable, but the negation of that illness is simply destructive." Virginie M., France

"Even after the child's catheter was rejected by my collapsing veins, we came to the realization that I was going to have surgery [to] have a catheter placed in my chest." Danielle O., Knoxville, TN

"I feel I took the 'easy' way out and ended up terminating my pregnancies, I am ashamed to admit. The emotional scars. are horrific, my life will never be the same. I can't afford Zofran. Surely it costs more to have a patient in the hospital than to reduce the cost of medication." LJ, Australia

"I was bounced from doctor to doctor who made me feel like I was actually making myself sick. They gave me oral medication (which of course never stayed down) and I had 13 [hospitalizations]. I felt like I was a nuisance to them and that they quite frankly didn't know what to do with me." Danielle O., Knoxville, TN

"I ended up losing my job and my life for nine months. was told it was in my head. little treatment was offered... at 6 weeks pregnant. all i wanted was the pain and sickness to stop and was told I would have to. terminate. I have grieved every day for that loss. with awareness. and proper [information] maybe people. [with HG] can be taken seriously and given proper care. doctors can do operations that you'd never think. possible, yet they cant stop [HG]. its heartbreaking, and soul destroying." K.N., Lancashire, England

"HG started around 4 wks but was not diagnosed until maybe around the 10th week. Here I am pregnant and taking Zofran a cancer drug for nausea and on TPN, another treatment for cancer. And the real kicker is they put me on the cancer floor in the hospital because the maternity ward was full...." Amber D., Waukesha, WI

"I also developed ptyalism and one doctor was so disgusted that I would not swallow my saliva he told me I had to and sat to watch, then left when the violent vomiting returned." Aimee-Ohio

"One girl. was admitted to the inpatient psychiatric unit during her 6th month because of HG. [HG] can be managed and treated if recognized.

"Each week my doctor had to communicate with the Insurance Company explaining why I still needed the feeding tube etc.for the first four months. Susie J., Littleton, Colorado

Donated Artwork...so far...

2007-03-16T10:36:00.000-05:00

Thank you very much for the scrapbook donated by Scrapn4u... It is beautiful. Each page is a work of art!

I'd like to send all and anyone who stops by here with a big hug...thank you so much for taking the time to read through here and see what is up...why we are here and what's so important.

And a humongous thank you to all of the kind hearted souls willing to take the time and energy to donate to this cause. My life has changed dramatically in doing this and in talking with all of you about it...in being a part of this and I can't thank you all enough.

So, without further delay, here are the donated artworks for the dinner so far:

"Shabby Bunny Wall Quilt" From the amazing Mrs.Kwitty!

$Fear$ from the fantabulous BAD! Kitty Art Studio (aka Heather)

Prayer from the magnificent Pinky!

"Elegance" from BLuRr ZoNe (aka Amber)

"Outstretched" 8 x 10
From BLuRr ZoNe (aka Amber) - this will be framed and matted

"Heaven Said Hello to Me This Morning" 8 x 10
From BLuRr ZoNe (aka Amber) - this will be framed and matted

Would you like to donate artwork? Please send me an email at: amber@blurrzone.com

Again, thank you all so much!

A wonderful Etsy seller Adore By Nat just contacted me to make a donation for this cause. And here they are!

You are a wonderful, giving person, thanks so so much! :)

Art Sale and Fundraising Dinner - Journey Of Hope For HG Survivors

2007-03-16T04:55:00.000-05:00

Please send ticket payment and donations in the form of cheque or money order to:
Payments for tickets being accepted A.S.A.P so tickets can be sent out on time. Deadline for purchase is June 20th, 2007.

Journey for HG
Janis Moher
247 Upper Queen St. P.O. Box 234
Thorndale, Ontario
N0M 2P0

Paypal payments can be made securely at http://www.paypal.com/ and sent to JourneyforHG@hotmail.com. Include your name, those of your guests, as well as mailing address so I can send out your tickets.

Here are some details of the exciting events to come....

The run will begin June 24th, 2007 from the corner of Nissouri Rd. and Dundas St. in London.
We will be on the move for 6 days, and need to cover approximately 200 - 230 kms. (118 miles).
The finish line will be located at The Hospital For Sick Children in Toronto by the front entrance. Should any of you want to be there to welcome us in... Estimated time of arrival is 4 p.m.
The address at The Hospital For Sick Children is:
555 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5G 1X8

Details for the Dinner and Art Sale

Date: Saturday, June 30th 2007.
Where: The Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel And Conference Center
Price: $40 (includes buffet dinner and dance)
Ticket purchase info. to come.

4- 6 p.m. - Art and Craft Sale
6 to 7:30 p.m. - Reception
7:30 p.m. - Dinner and a Few Words
8:30 - ? - Dance

If Hotel reservation is required, please call the Holiday Inn Burlington's reservation co-ordinator at (905)639-4443 ext 4676, or simply ask for reservations.
Be sure to mention that you are with the 'Journey of Hope' group, and quote this block I.D number 53692 in order to get negotiated rates.
Note:** Any rooms not booked by Wednesday May 30th, 2007 will be charged regular room rates!!! Book A.S.A.P!

Thanks everyone!

Please help me in the organization of all this by putting a post in response including your name, number of guests and their names and contact info. so I can start to track exact numbers. Even if you are my best friend, mother, sister or father..LOL.. please verify your attendance here so I only have to go to one place for all numbers of attending guests:) Love you all!!!

Many Aspects to Life and Being Human

2007-03-11T09:50:00.000-05:00

I've had some thoughts swirling and buzzing about in my head this morning that I wanted to share here.

I'll be blunt: Woman don't HAVE to be able to have babies to be a Woman, and Men don't HAVE to be able to fertilize an egg to be a Man.

They are Women and Men regardless. It doesn't mean they are broken or they are faulty in any way at all.

For me, when I hear of a Woman who cannot conceive or who cannot go through pregnancy, the thought that something is "wrong" never crosses my mind. Different people can do different things. Yes, the majority of Woman can conceive and carry on through pregnancy, but that doesn't mean that ALL Woman can...just as not ALL Men can fertilize an egg.

I know it's a deep and meaningful subject for many, but I wanted to send a message out to those Women and Men who are having a hard time with the ability to conceive and have their own biological children...you are not faulty and you are not broken. Please don't let your inner dialogue tell you otherwise.

Letter to Oprah!

2007-03-08T15:47:00.000-05:00

Yes, I JUST sent this! I am going to send it everyday until I get a response. :)

Dear Oprah,

My name is Amber and I am writing to tell you about my AMAZING Sister Janis. She is a sufferer/survivor of Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a VERY unknown illness that affects pregnant woman in making them unable to eat or drink anything without being extremely sick during their entire pregnancy. Woman with extreme cases have died from it. My Sister has experienced excruciating hardships from this terrible illness and she has almost died 3 times trying to battle it. She has gone to hell and back trying to deal and heal.

This summer (2007), she will be walking 120 miles, from London, Ontario to Toronto to help raise awareness and donations to help find a cure for "HG". I am writing to you in hopes that you hear her story and the story of other woman, as she and they are truly amazing woman. She wants SO badly for this illness to get the recognition it requires for the medical profession to step in and help these Woman and Families from this tremendous suffering. So much so that she is willing to put her health on the line and embark on a truly amazing feat of endurance, determination, and selflessness.

Please visit the HER Foundation for more information on "HG" and you will see MANY brave and courageous Woman and Family sharing their stories of "HG". Please help make this issue become more known around the Globe so that less Woman have to experience this extreme suffering. Some woman have died from this illness, yet so many others are told by Doctors that they are imagining things and that their hospital does not have time for them...it's all in their head. I have seen my Sister battle this illness 3 times, and I will tell you beyond a doubt that she has a REAL illness that NEEDS to be recognized by the medical profession.

Please help save a pregnant Womans life and make "HG" a household name.

Oprah, if anyone can do it, you can.

Thank you so much for your time.

Sincerely,
Amber, www.journeyofhopeblog.blogspot.com

A Special Request...

2007-03-08T10:33:00.000-05:00

Hi All! :)

As you know, I am working with my Sister to organize a charity dinner, Journey of Hope, which this blog is dedicated to promoting...to help raise awareness and donations for Hyperemesis Gravidarum.

Many of you wonderful Souls have offered to send in donations and we are forever grateful for your kindness! We are trying to work on a dinner invitation / flyer / notification where we can include pictures of some of the donated pieces or artwork.

If it is at all possible for you send me pictures of what you plan to donate, that would be appreciated beyond belief. You don't need to send the actual artwork yet, as we still have until June, but if you are able to supply some pictures in advance, that would be fantastic! :)

We are hoping to use these pictures to entice more people to attend.

This excludes you Heather because WE still need to get back to YOU...lol! ;)

Please send me an email at: amber@blurrzone.com

And THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! :-D

Really Hitting Home...

2007-03-06T15:26:00.000-05:00

I've just learned that the distance my Sister will be embarking on for her Marathon this summer is 200 kilometres, which translates into 120 miles.

The average walking speed is 3 miles per hour. This means that she will have to walk approximately 7.5 hours per day, while maintaining that 3 mile per hour pace for 7 days straight. Why? Because she only has a week to get it done. If she can't maintain the 3 miles per hour pace, that means she will have to extend her walk time for that day to make up the difference.

Holy crap. I don't even know what to say.

I mean I knew it would be a long strenuous walk, but I didn't realize just HOW LONG.

This is one determined Woman, let me tell you.

And what do you ask is she doing immediately AFTER the Marathon...after walking (maybe even jogging) for 7 days straight? Attending the charity dinner.

I truly hope with all my heart that her efforts do not go unnoticed.

Anyone interested in donating art to help raise awareness for this cause, please email me (Amber, her big Sister) at amber@blurrzone.com

Here she is...

2007-03-03T00:46:00.000-05:00

...my beautiful Sister! :) She is going to FREAK when she sees that I posted her picture. :P

I can't help it...I'm just so proud of all the work she is doing, and for all of the people jumping in to help, I wanted you to meet her.

Thanks so much to all of the wonderful kind people offering up some of their art for donations. It is truly amazing to see so many people jump in so easily.

I can't wait to start posting pictures of the art that will be auctioned/up for sale at the charity dinner. I went through some of my stuff today to figure out which pieces I will be donating, as well as my supplies to figure out all of the things I will be making specifically for this cause.

Thanks again Everyone and I hope to get back to some of you regarding your donations this weekend...it's been a little hectic around here this week with crazy weather, me being sick, all of this stuff to work on, my full-time job, my puppies...life! Phew, I need a nap!

Welcome to the Journey of Hope Blog!

2007-03-01T11:10:00.000-05:00

This blog has been created for Sufferers/Survivors of Hyperemesis Gravidarum. I have created this blog in dedication to my Sister, a Survivor/Sufferer of this violent illness.

She will be embarking on a charity run/walk this summer, trekking from London, Ontario, Canada, to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We will be using this blog to post about her/our experiences through this expedition, as well provide an outlet for other Sufferers/Survivors to join together to spread the word, share the love, and offer support to others.

What is Hyperemisis Gravidarum? Here are a few links to give you more information:

HER Foundation - Hyperemesis Education and Research

NORD - National Organization for Rare Disorders

Wikipedia

BBC Health

Medline Plus

She will also be organizing a charity dinner to be held in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, so if you are interested in attending, please contact Janis via email at cosmo57@hotmail.com. She is still in the beginning stages of preparing for this, but she will keep your information and contact you when she has more details, and we will also be posting updates here at the Journey of Hope Blog.

I will be organizing the Journey of Hope Craft/Art Sale effective immediately. I will be accepting donations of any form of artwork that you would like to contribute. ALL money raised in this initiative will be donated to this cause. If you would like to donate or have any questions, please feel free to email me at amber@blurrzone.com.

More to come, this is just the beginning! Thanks for your support and thanks for visiting!

Journey of Hope For HG Sufferers

Success and Thanks...

More photos from the past few days...

How it Began

And the Journey is underway...

Ashli McCall on CNN...

Me and Some of the Paintings...

Our First Newspaper Article...

Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom Signature Up For Auction...

****Our Help When Finding a Doctor...

Thank you Ashli!!!

Thank you Dr. Phil:)

Sick Kids Link....

Paintings Up for Auction.....

****And This Is Why We are Doing This....******

Walkers, Runners, Artists and Friends...

First Hand Accounts of the Physical Effects of HG - Testimonials from the HER Foundation

Donated Artwork...so far...

Art Sale and Fundraising Dinner - Journey Of Hope For HG Survivors

Many Aspects to Life and Being Human

Letter to Oprah!

A Special Request...

Really Hitting Home...

Here she is...

Welcome to the Journey of Hope Blog!

And This Is Why We are Doing This....**