Sunday, June 7, 2009

Bechets patient and track star, Sanya Richards’

Here is a vasculitis survivor's success story.

Some of you may recall seeing Sanya Richards run in the Bejing Olympics and win some medals for the US Track and Field team.

Sandra is the American record holder for the 400 meter dash. I just watched her win it again live in the 2009 Prefontaine Classic. Pretty impressive for someone with vasculitis. Impressive for anyone, all the more so with vasculitis.

What you may not have known, as I did not, was that she was diagnosed with Bechets Syndrome in 2007, so she really had to struggle to even make the team for that Olympics. Her determination and pure gritty force of will made all that possible.

What inspired me to write today is learning how Sanya continues to connect with Bechets and with vasculitis. I have seen other notable personalities turn their backs on the cause of awareness and research, and this woman is not one of those.

She has prompted her corporate sponsors to donate items for fundraisers, and she regularly speaks out about her vasculitis.

Read her blog to learn more:
Sanya Richards’ Track & Field Forum » Behcet's Corner

Here is her bio at USA Track & Field:
Sanya Richards


Here are some more links to help you hopefully find some inspiration in the life story of this courageous and tough lady:


Putting illness behind her, Sanya Richards finds her stride | Texas Longhorns News | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News


2008 Walk for Behcet's Disease - NY - American Behcet's Disease Association

Behçet's disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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