"RIDING FOR CARRIE" "Team Fibromyalgia" dedicates 520-mile charity bike ride to fibromyalgia victim

ORANGE, CA September 29, 2004 -- The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA), the largest nonprofit charity organization [501(c)3 supporting people with fibromyalgia, chronic pain and other invisible illnesses, today announced that it will be dedicating its participation in a 520-mile charity bike ride to Carrie Thomas, a fibromyalgia sufferer from St. Helena, California, who died on June 6, 2004.

"Carrie suffered tremendously, not only from the debilitating pain of fibromyalgia but also from the lack of awareness and understanding of proper treatments for this illness," said Lynne Matallana, president and co-founder of the NFA.

Matallana, who was diagnosed in 1995, will be the first person with fibromyalgia to participate in the 4th Annual AMGEN/Arthritis Foundation California Coast Classic Bicycle Tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles on October 2-9, 2004.

"Team Fibromyalgia" will include Matallana and Art Zippel, NFA Creative/New Media Director who is also an experienced endurance cyclist. They will be riding a tandem bicycle. Mike Thomas, Carrie's father, will also join "Team Fibromyalgia" as a single rider.

Matallana adds: "Even though Carrie's death is a very rare occurrence, we are honored to celebrate her life, and at the same time raise awareness for the millions of others who suffer from fibromyalgia and arthritis." (Arthritis is an overlapping condition of fibromyalgia.)

In 1998, Carrie Thomas was driving home for Thanksgiving when she was involved in a car accident. Although her x-rays showed no serious injuries, Carrie's pain persisted and worsened. Numerous doctors and painful medical treatments later, Carrie was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Although fibromyalgia is not fatal, Carrie had a very rare reaction from complications arising from her prescribed medication.

She died on June 6, 2004. Carrie was 30 years old.

"We are deeply touched that the National Fibromyalgia Association is dedicating their participation in this bike ride to Carrie," said Mike Thomas, whose wife Ann also has rheumatoid arthritis. "Carrie's death has left a huge void in our lives. We miss her every single second of every single day. We need to do whatever it takes to raise awareness of fibromyalgia and arthritis and push for more research of these illnesses."

The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) is a nonprofit [501 (c (3) organization whose mission is to develop and execute programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia. The NFA concentrates on patient support and informational services, awareness outreach, physician continuing medical education and research. The NFA produces educational materials, sponsors CME and patient conferences, hosts a web site (www.FMaware.org), and publishes Fibromyalgia AWARE magazine.

If you would like additional information on how to support"Team Fibromyalgia," please call (714) 921-0150 or visit www.FMaware.org.

ABOUT CARRIE THOMAS
Carrie Thomas was born on February 21, 1974, at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, California. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where she graduated with a BA in Sociology in June 1998. Carrie was working as an intern at the Santa Barbara Planning Department prior to her automobile accident.

Carrie Thomas is survived by her parents, Mike and Ann Thomas and sister, Megan.





This article courtesy of http://www.bestbikeguide.com.
You may freely reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact.

Submit Your Article