Paint The Town Purple

You may have noticed Saugeen Shores has gone “PURPLE” crazy this past week and so has Fitness Funatics! We are “Painting the Town Purple” to raise awareness and help fight Cystinosis.

Meet Olivia and Harper. They’re so adorable I just want to squish them! Unfortunately Olivia, the oldest, suffers with Cystinosis. I had never heard of this terrible disease until their mother Erin started the Purple campaign. Once I knew more, I wanted to get involved.

So what is this disease? Cystinosis is a rare, inherited disease characterized by the abnormal accumulation of the amino acid cystine. The build-up of cystine in the cells eventually destroys all major organs of the body. Currently there is no cure, only a time demanding, around the clock treatment. This rare metabolic disease afflicts 75 children and young adults in Canada, and only 2,000 worldwide. To learn more visit www.livalittlefoundation.com

I recently spoke with Erin, and the medication that little Olivia must take daily is overwhelming! As a mother my heart breaks for all of them. Not only is there a crazy amount of medications but the timing of them is crucial. Erin home-schools the girls, which works around Olivia’s medication schedule. Currently this is her daily routine…

 

Now comes our part (small as it may be or as big as our hearts can handle): this Civic Holiday Monday we are NOT closing. Instead we will be offering by donation … “PURPLE  FUSION!” Sign up on line to attend, WEAR PURPLE and please bring a cash donation.

Can’t make the class and still want to help? There is a donation box at the studio all this week, please drop something in it and give it a little squish!