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| Contents: A Personal Note from Founder 1. Group Updates 2. Upgrading our Web site! 3. Link to Surgery Hints'n'Tips page 4. Third Annual Family Picnic |
| 5. Doctor Database Survey 6. Meet Fr. Mike, our Chaplain 7. Bob Wall, National Spokesperson 8. New!! AVNKids group! 9. iGive |
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| Group Updates! ____________________________________________ |
We are now using our shorter, more compact domain name: avnsupport.org This is still us, the ON/AVN SGIA, Inc., but with a brand new URL name that is easier to remember and far easier to type! You can still access all of our web pages at either http://osteonecrosisavnsupport.org, or http://avnsupport.org You can now email us at avninfo@avnsupport.org That's more like it, don't you agree?! |
Well, in the not-too-distant future, we will no longer be using Yahoo Groups as our gathering and communications place.
way for us to reach people with AVN, at no cost to them, for a good many years. However, we have grown so large over the past 3 years, that we have outgrown the Yahoo groups' capabilities. Also, many people get confused with some of the public groups on Yahoo, thinking they are 'us', when in reality, they are not. It is time to squelch that confusion, and to give our members a place to come to for information, support, and real life chats, all under one roof. This way, there will be no confusion as to who is who, and our members will not wind up in a public group by accident. Public groups have little to no control at all over who is allowed to join. With private groups, such as ours is, the safety factor is greatly amplified because entry is by invitation only, and only after people properly register with us. Also, it is confusing for new members to join our organization, then to register for our Yahoo group community, then to have to register again for our chat room. cont'd. next column |
A much better way is to offer all of our features under one roof, so to speak!
working and in one place sometime this spring. In the meantime, please feel free to join us at our Yahoo community.
from Yahoo or from our organization will ever write to you and ask you for your password, or to change your password. If you get an email like that, please let me know, and then forward it to Yahoo.
room you must have JAVA enabled on your own computer. If you have any other problems accessing our site, please make sure first that you did accept our invitation; then, if problems persist, please write to us at chatinfo@avnsupport.org
to our wonderful chat/info places! |
Please bear with us..... Our Web site is undergoing some upgrading so that we can bring you the very latest Internet features and to help make our site more user-friendly. Coming soon will be a new and improved Forums feature, video capabilities, and more. Some areas may not be working at this time, so please bookmark this page and come back from time to time to check on our progress. Our Membership form, for example, can only be sent in at this time by e-mailing it in to us after you copy and paste the form into your own email program and fill in the necessary data. Or, you may print it out and send it to us. See our Contact page for address details. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we hope to have our 'new and improved' site up and fully functional by March 1. Many thanks! The ON/AVN SGIA, Inc. Leadership Team |
Going in for hip or other joint replacement surgery? Read our Before & After Surgery Hints and Tips page! Click here ! |
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Third Annual Family Day Picnic! |
Our third Annual AVN Family Picnic Weekend turned out to be great! As we all met and came together for food, fun, talk, and laughter, it was a weekend we can call 'perfect.'
too cool. Just right! The food was plentiful and delicious, as always. Karen headed the kitchen (as always!), and there was plenty of help with the grill, thanks to Bill and to Bob. The kids all cooled off in the swimming pool as adults took walks or hikes, went shopping, and played games such as Jenga. Fr Mike's massage therapist, Dawn, was on hand once again for anyone who wanted a professional massage. The hours just seemed to fly right by. Sadly, though, we were not able to do the fireworks at night. I'm not sure why because I was resting in my cabin from a bit of fatigue when the decision was made, but we did have a huge bonfire and we did roast marshmallows. Of course, plenty of chocolate and graham crackers were on hand as well for those special treats, S'Mores! I'll be adding more pictures over the next few days, so visit this column often! We all agreed to have a change of venue for next year's event. Some places were suggested and as I type this, Karen is busy making a few phone calls to see what is available for next year's family day picnic. We will announce all details very shortly, so "stay tuned"! |
Click on thumbnails to see enlarged photos.
Hit back arrow to return to this page
Hit back arrow to return to this page
We are very fortunate to have someone join our organization who is very special to all of us, and who became our very own volunteer Chaplain. Father Michael Salnicky came to us seeking knowledge and support in dealing with his own ON/AVN, and it wasn't long before a real bond was formed between him and the entire group. His writings on our Yahoo chat/info site message board are often filled with humor of a gentle, yet down to earth sort, and always they are full of warmth and home-spun wisdom. Fr. Mike hails from the beautiful Pennsylvania Pocono mountains, where his church and retreat center are located. A man of many talents, he is also Chaplain for several other groups and organizations and is a volunteer Fireman/ Emergency Rescue team member. Bee keeping is one of his many interests; but helping others, and spreading good cheer and hope, are his real forte. For our members, please feel free to write to him anytime at avnchaplain@osteonecrosisavnsupport.org |
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| Bob Wall and Marie Shanahan, our association's Founder |
Introducing Mr. BOB WALL, star of silver screen, TV, director, producer, Martial Arts Grandmaster, and President and CEO of World Black Belt.com, World Black Belt, Inc. Bob is our brand new National Spokesperson and has pledged to help us to spread the word about AVN and about our fine group in any way that he can. A personal friend of my husband's and mine, Bob has long been recognized in the Martial Arts world as one of its true greats. His long time friend and business partner, Mr. Chuck Norris, heartily approves of Bob's coming on board with us to lend us a hand and I know that Bob will see to it that we will, indeed, 'get the word out.' Both men are deeply touched by our plight and I all can say is 'thank you', truly from the bottom of my heart! You can read all about Bob Wall on the special page I created for him. Just click here to go to that page (use your back arrow to return here). You can send Bob a note of thanks and welcome by going to that page, or to his own page at his website...click here to view his page. We certainly have come a long way since 1995, when this whole support group got its humble beginnings. In less than one year, we became an official non-profit organization with a globe-spanning membership, gaining an international sports figure and movie/TV star as our official spokesperson. I am very grateful, and so is Karen, our VP. We've worked very hard to help put our group on top, and now with Bob's help, we know that one day AVN will no longer be a disease, hidden in the dark, and that 'no one's ever heard of before.' People will get the help that they need, and as always, we will be there to help them in their journey. Thanks, Bob! We love you! Update: Look for our "Interview with Bob Wall", coming soon! |
New!! AVN Kids! Are you a parent of a child with AVN? Come join our new AVNKids chat/info group! This is really a department of our main Yahoo Chat/Info Community, and it is designed to help bring parents of kids with AVN together in a more relaxed environment. And, your kids just might form a pen pal or two with other youngsters who are also trying to cope with AVN. This is your space, your chance to connect with others who know what you are going through. Take a peek at our new department at: Parents of Kids With AVN Note: You must first be a registered member of our organization; then, you must join our main Yahoo Chat/Info Community. (Go to Membership form). For more info, write to: avnkids@avnsupport.org |
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We are registered with iGive.com! If you buy items online, then please buy from merchants listed with iGive. A portion of each sale is donated to your favorite cause. This does not cost you anything additional; these donations are coming from the participating merchants themselves. For more information and/or to register with our organization on iGive, just click on the graphic below. |
| _______________________________________________________________________ The ON/AVN Support Group Int'l Association, Inc. Box 118 - 8500 Henry Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19128 Email: avninfo@avnsupport.org |
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Disclaimer: The web pages and message boards at our site are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Material placed on any page or message board does not necessarily reflect the views of Osteonecrosis / Avascular Necrosis Support Group International Association, Inc. (“ON/AVN SGIA, Inc.”). The information on our site is provided with the understanding that we are not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services or advice. We assume no responsibility for any choices that you may make for your own medical care. Information included in a message board should not replace necessary medical consultations with a qualified health or medical professional to meet your individual health or medical needs, or those of your loved ones. What we share here on our site is from members’ experiences and personal opinions only and is not to be used as a substitute or to replace your own doctors’ medical advice. You are urged to consult with and to abide by your own doctor(s) medical advice. We do not verify the information placed on any message board on our site and, therefore, cannot verify or judge the merits or lack thereof, of any information, suggestions, ideas, opinions, or advice. Neither ON/AVN SGIA, Inc. nor any ON/AVN SGIA, Inc. agents or representatives make any representations with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaim any implied or express warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular usage, application or purpose. On our site, we prefer to base our message board discussions on only FDA approved treatments, medications, procedures, medical guidelines, etc. If a treatment, medicine, procedure or medical modality is not FDA approved then we ask you to please find another resource where you may discuss same. Materials copyrighted by ON/AVN SGIA, Inc., may be downloaded for personal use only. By accessing our site, you agree to hold ON/AVN SGIA, Inc., its assignees, licensees, owners, officers and directors harmless from any loss, claim or damage arising from your use of any of the information and ideas contained on the site, including following suggestions or advice posted on the message boards/web pages. |
Group News Updates... Page updated on 9/23/08
The ON/AVN Support Group Int'l Association
The ON/AVN Support Group Int'l Association
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Yahoo Chat Site news... |
| Announcing..... http://avnsupport.org |
What a wonderful weekend! |
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______________________________________ As you can tell, our site hasn’t seen any updates in a while. For this, I apologize to everyone. Thank you all, too, for your kind patience. I know it isn’t too rewarding looking forward to seeing something new and just seeing the same thing each time you come here. But, at the very least, we are still here, supporting and helping our members and their journey with AVN. Please know that this has been a very difficult year for me so far. Back in February, I was diagnosed with cancer and have been busy getting well again. This has meant a few surgeries, long stays in the hospital, some shorter ones, too, and then dealing with chemotherapy, and finally, dealing with chemo’s after effects. For all those who have cancer or have fought it, you know what I mean! It seemed to take forever to get my strength back, only to discover that “chemo fog” came to call. There are days when it’s hard to remember my own name, but I’m gaining on it! I am very happy to say that with the help of a wonderful team of doctors at Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA, and with my family’s love and support, I have apparently beaten it -- for now. Ever since my original illness dating back to 1995 (which helped to cause my own multi-focal AVN), and coming so close to death then, I have been very grateful for each and every day. It is even more so that way for me, now. Just knowing that our organization is helping so many people with AVN gives me the desire to really persevere, and to go forward. We have many challenges to overcome in our organization, but one by one, we are meeting them. Thanks to our wonderful team of volunteers, we are reaching many more people with AVN and I know we are helping them. Our belief is that “Knowledge is power”, and that is true. Please let me add to this that so is Faith. We need to have faith that our lives count, no matter what the circumstances. My faith has carried me through this year, and continues to do so. Coping with an illness is very challenging and at times, can be overwhelming. We are here to help people deal with their pain and limitations, and to help them find answers that make some sense and truly be of help to them. So, if you have AVN and haven’t joined us yet, why wait any longer? You never know what the future holds, so please make each day count and do things to help yourselves. If you have AVN, joining us is a good start. Above all, “Keep on keeping on!” With love, Marie Founder/Pres. |
