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2128 North Pines Road
Suite 17-B
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
Tax ID 91-1323281
October 22, 2018
Dearglassybaby,
The Spina Bifida Association of Washington State (SBAWS) will be conducting a major Spina Bifida fundraising and awareness campaign in October through our Adopt-a-Ghost program, which concludes on October 31st. The month of October is also a special one for us. It is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month.
The Adopt-A-Ghost program is just one of the many ways that the SBAWS chooses to educate the public on what Spina Bifida is and how it affects over 70,000 people in the United States. While many people with Spina Bifida are able to walk, they may also have many secondary effects due to the spinal cord being damaged as a result of not developing properly in the womb. Bowel and bladder challenges (infections and overall function), Hydrocephalus (or water on the brain), learning disabilities and joint & muscle pain are all hidden disabilities that affect those with Spina Bifida. People born with Spina Bifida may use braces for stability, and crutches or wheelchairs for mobility.
Spina Bifida is the number one permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. It occurs during the first month of pregnancy, sometimes before the mother realizes she is pregnant. The vertebrae and bones surrounding the spinal cord do not close as they should. One or more of these vertebrae remain open, leaving the spinal cord exposed and unprotected. If the openings bulges and becomes exposed or open, severe damage can be done to the nerves of the spine, leaving the infant open to varying degrees of paralysis and the secondary problems listed above.
Coinciding with customers’ Halloween preparations, we are asking businesses to offer small paper ghosts for adoption (for $1.00) to each of their customers. There is absolutely NO COST to you to participate. All you need to do is offer our pre-printed ghosts to your customers for $1.00 each. SBAWS will provide all the supplies necessary. It is a fun and very effective way to bring attention of National Spina Bifida Awareness Month to the public.
Educating all women of childbearing age to take 400 micrograms of Folic Acid has been proven to reduce the occurrence of Spina Bifida and several other neural tube (spinal cord) birth defects by up to 70%. It is a simple B (B9) vitamin included in most, if not all, multivitamins on the market. Although the exact cause of Spina Bifida is not known, Folic Acid is a great start in preventing Spina Bifida.
I have attached a question and answer sheet with more information that I hope you will review. I will follow up with you in the next few weeks and hope we can finalize your participation in this important program. I, and the many members of the SBAWS, thank you for your consideration to further educate the public, help us raise funds for our members and prevent further occurrence of Spina Bifida.
Sincerely,
Nicole (Anderson) Williamson
SBAWS Seattle cluster Co-leaderAdopt-a-Ghost Program Manager
PO Box 27848, Seattle, WA98165
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Phone 253-569-3700 Toll free 888-289-3702 Fax 775-766-1654