Sohana Collins, who gives her name to Sohana Research Fund, is a young teenager who was born with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB or EB) which means she lacks the protein that holds her skin together. Kids with EB have extremely fragile skin that they are sometimes called “butterfly children.” Lots of activities we take for granted as easy routines in our daily lives are a struggle for them. Can you imagine a day where your dressing up takes up to two hours and eating and drinking cause blisters in your mouth and throat? These kids have to deal with this kind of pain every single day.
All Sohana wants, like all other EB kids out there, for Christmas, is a cure for EB. Please watch this video, share it with others and BELIEVE that we can help find a cure for EB together!
EB stinks. That is a fact. And we believe that the moment Damian sticks out his tongue at EB makes one TOP Damian Lewis moment of the year!
I am sticking out my tongue at EB.Text CURE to 70300 giving £3#Ebtongue@SohanaResearchF @Louis_Tomlinson pic.twitter.com/4clOsjNQKg
— Damian Lewis (@lewis_damian) July 7, 2016
Yes, I am old enough to know that life is not fair, but I still cannot come to terms with the fact that awful conditions happen to children. EB is a VERY serious condition. There is good research being done, and it is the only way have a world without EB. That’s why we need more research and need it NOW. The clock is ticking and we should ACT immediately to raise more awareness and funds to help find a cure for EB. That is why Damian is not just sticking out his tongue at EB but also invites us to give, and believe me, there is no small gift, to Sohana Research Fund for more research that will make a world without EB a real possibility.
There are many ways to help the bravest girl Damian Lewis has ever known and all other butterfly kids out there. PICK ONE!
Fund-Raise for Sohana Research Fund!
In 2015, an incredible 19 year old, Tom Davies, became the youngest person to cycle the world and raised more than 50,000 pounds for several charities, one of which was Sohana Research Fund. It doesn’t only take courage, strength, and determination but also a BIG GOOD HEART to do this and Tom Davies gives me HOPE for humanity. Hats off!
Having said that, only a handful of people can do what Tom did! So there should be other things, we, the middle-aged crowd, with day jobs and families, can do to HELP and inspire others to do the same… That’s exactly why I decided to run Bull City Race Fest Half-Marathon and fund-raise for the fund last year. A half-marathon also takes training time and some strength in the legs but ultimately it is doable and totally worth it. See how HAPPY I look as I cross the finish line.
Well… If I could do it, you could do it, too! And, it doesn’t need to be a half-marathon. There is always a 5K run or a walk or you can just play to your own strengths and get creative with it! What about a cook-off, a bake sale, or a board game tournament and then donate the proceeds to the cause?
Here is one creative way to support the cause for you: Tiffany, a great Damian fan who I am very happy to know in person, originally registered for a charity walk/run and raise funds for Sohana Research Fund. She missed the event because of her own health issues but then came up with an even more creative way to do it. Here’s her story in her own words:
“As you know I missed the trail series. I had difficulty finding another 5k without a charity attached. So I had a friend who was kind enough to help me mark my own course. I did the walk in Holmdel Park which is a historic living farm with many beautiful trails. I know it was unconventional but it was kind of cool because people saw my shirt and asked about the cause. Tonight my niece, who will be 7 next month, heard me talking to my sister about Sohana. She asked about what I was doing. I showed her Sohana’s picture and explained we were trying to raise money so the doctors could help her feel better. She saw Sohana’s “boo boos”. I wasn’t sure Sophie understood. She disappeared for a few minutes and came and brought me all her change. She asked if it would help. <3 Kids will change the world.”
I know they will. And I hope we can help all butterfly kids feel better so they have a chance in changing the world as well!
Now… If you don’t have the time or energy to fund-raise then you can still HELP!
Donate to Sohana Research Fund!
You can always securely donate at the fund’s Just Giving page. Since Sohana’s family covers the cost of events, fund-raising as well as the administration services, 100% of donations individuals make to the fund directly go into the research projects. There is no small gift and every dollar counts!
Spread the word!
Please please please SPREAD THE WORD! Check out Sohana Research Fund Website for more information. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook. Please SHARE the information. Please HELP so we can beat Epidermolysis Bullosa, a disease “Hard to say, Hell to Live with!” together.
Let’s “give her the strength to fly.” Thank you <3
