Surfing Legends Support Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser
Laird Hamilton and David Kalama launch down 70-foot walls of water, completing feats that leave other surfers speechless. Risking their lives for the perfect ride, their idols have always been surfers who bring home the gold. That was until they met those who surf to survive.
While they battle and conquer fierce elements by choice, the two legendary watermen now hold a new hero in their hearts – surfer and cystic fibrosis survivor Emily Haager, a surfer from Diamond Bar, who has been battling cystic fibrosis (CF) since she was six months old.
CF is an inherited chronic disease in which a defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clog the lungs and causes life threatening lung infections. It affects 30,000 children and adults in the United States and 70,000 worldwide.
Although Emily’s life has consisted of strife and struggle, a shining smile breaks the barrier of any pain written across her face, thanks to a natural treatment she has enjoyed for the past three years – surfing. She is now the face for Pipeline to a Cure, a fundraising campaign recognizing the connection between surfing and the deadly genetic disease.
The correlation between surfing and healing surfaced two years ago when patients with CF in Sydney, Australia reported feeling better after hitting the waves, stating that their chests felt relieved as the ocean water cleared the mucus from their sinuses and lungs. The finding made complete sense, as the top daily treatment for the disease, Hypertonic Saline Solution, mimics a “surf session” for the lungs. Since surfing eases the suffering of CF patients, the surf industry is now responding to the cause by supporting Pipeline to a Cure.
On the evening of July 19, Hamilton and Kalama will co-chair the Pipeline to a Cure Dinner Gala, an event at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach, to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Expected attendees include the surfing world’s top stars Kelly Slater, Mickey Munoz, Drew Kampion, Jericho Poplar and Gerry Lopez. Other extreme sports leaders are also jumping on board, including skateboarder extraordinaire Tony Hawk and motocross rider Brock Glover. Mike Sullivan, a car dealership owner from Manhattan Beach known as “The LA Car Guy,” will be donating a new Toyota Prius to be auctioned off at the event for the cause.
Visit pipeinetoacure.com or contact Monika Gilbert at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at mgilbert@cff.org or call 714.938.1393.
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VNC President Appoints Co-Chairs of Ad-Hoc Committee on Homelessness & Vehicular Living
Venice Neighborhood Council (VNC) President Mike Newhouse has selected Mark Ryavec and Judy Alexander to co-chair the VNC’s new Ad-Hoc Committee on Homelessness and Vehicular Living. The new co-chairs have accepted their appointments and will begin the work of selecting 10 additional voting members of the committee, consisting of eight stake-holders and two board members. Additionally, the committee will invite representatives from County and City offices and governmental agencies to participate as non-voting members.
The new committee has been formed to identify local and regional solutions and actions to assist those who are indigent and thus unable to afford housing. The mission of the Committee is to end vehicular living on city streets while also identifying suitable and affordable regional alternatives for those who are indigent or without adequate income to afford a traditional residence.
The Committee will actively seek the involvement of all stakeholders in Venice, including but not limited to residents, resident and neighborhood associations, service providers, homeless advocates and the homeless themselves, and businesses and property owners. It has been asked to complete its work and report back to the VNC Board within six months. Stakeholders who want to serve on the committee are asked to submit Letters of Interest to VNC Board Secretary Joe Murphy at secretarty@VeniceNC.org.
Ms. Alexander said: “This committee will shed light on the enormous gap between the service and housing needs of homeless individuals and the resources available to them. I look forward to working with all VNC stakeholders and officers as we address these serious concerns.” Mr. Ryavec added, “I have long been dismayed at our society’s failure to address the needs of the indigent and homeless amongst us. And I am acutely aware of the problems faced by residents with urban campers dwelling in vehicles parked at their curb. My goal is for the committee to start the process of working with city, county and charitable organizations to move us to addressing both issues.”
