Creating Awareness: The Bakken Invitation Honorees Community + #Giveaway
The Bakken Invitation 2016 and creating awareness in your own community.
After reading all 12 stories from The Bakken Invitation Honorees, I have realized I do not do nearly enough in my community. All 12 of them are so very impressive to me. Each honoree has lived their own experience with a medical condition and has persevered to make a difference.
Between my husband and myself we have tried to help in our community when we can. Until my husband started experiencing back issues he ran in the annual “Live Like Liz” 5K. Liz passed away quite a few years ago from ovarian cancer at a very young age. My husband felt it was important to represent anyone in the community or family that had experienced cancer in some shape or form, or was currently going through cancer treatments. He took a t-shirt and hand wrote every single person’s name that he was given on Facebook and via emails.
During this time, another student had been battling cancer from his Freshman year up until the end of his Senior year. The community came together by purchasing t-shirts, rubber bracelets to help raise money for this wonderful young man. It was called “Defense for Devon”. I was able to do a fundraiser to help off-set some costs, which I appreciated being able to do. Devon was an icon in our community for how he fought until the end. He passed away 2 weeks after graduating highschool, but he will forever be in our communities heart.
What is this program about?
The Bakken Invitation is a global program that the Medtronic Foundation Philanthropy launched in 2013 to connect and celebrate people who, with the help of medical technology, have overcome health challenges and are now selflessly giving back to their communities.
The Bakken Invitation award is annually given to patients from the Bakken Invitation Community recognizing extraordinary accomplishment. The program is named after Medtronic Foundation co-founder, Earl Bakken.
At the Medtronic Foundation, we believe that everyone should be able to receive quality, affordable healthcare. As part of this effort, the Medtronic Foundation is sharing patient success stories through programs like the Bakken Invitation to help educate and inspire other patients to manage their health condition.
The Bakken Invitation promotes access to health care and inspires others to give back. The program was designed to highlight how when people have access to quality healthcare, they not only can successfully manage their own health condition, they can use their “extra life” to help others.
We know medical technology can dramatically improve the life of one person. The Bakken Invitation Award Honorees demonstrate that it can have a social impact that reaches beyond just that person.
Although I respect all 12 of The Bakken Honorees, one stood out to me. Her name is Twinkle VanFleet from Sacramento, California. Her medical history is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 2. She has used Spinal Cord Stimulation for her medical therapy. Twinkle inspired me with her story. Her charity is Charity: Power of Pain Foundation. She started in 2003 advocating for this charity for people suffering from the same condition as hers on her blog and website.
Twinkle states on The Bakken Invitation website, “I was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (CRPS/RSD) in 2003, following a mid-metatarsal separation of the right foot in 2001. CRPS/RSD is a painful, debilitating and often progressive central nervous system disorder. In my case, it caused skin discoloration; changes in nails, hair and blood vessels; swelling; muscle pain; bone deterioration; secondary internal organ involvement; and atrophy in my right calf.”
Twinkle is also an advocacy director and executive board member for the Power of Pain Foundation, Twinkle works on policy efforts, patient awareness and many other aspects of chronic pain. When The Bakken Invitation found her she started out as a California ambassador. She assists others with questions about spinal cord stimulation, she also explains the importance of paying close attention to their trial implants and how to get the most out of their permanent placement.
I wanted to share the comment I received from Twinkle VanFleet:
Thank you Becky Willis and each of you who were inspired by me. My fellow honorees are amazing in all they do amidst their own strive for survival. x
The Power of Pain Foundation strives to make a difference in policy, patient awareness and many other aspects of chronic pain through initiatives such as the RSD Quilt Program, Youth in Pain, the Honoring Our Vets program and much more. One of the foundation’s sayings is, ‘With motivation for a cure, we’re turning pain to power.’ And it really is.” I love that quote as it is important to be able to take pain and be able to use it as a positive asset. I also really like that the foundation supports the three programs that they do. All of these are important. You can visit Twinkle’s story on The Bakken Honoree Page on their website. Twinkle’s quote is also inspiring, “When you think you can’t, maybe you already have.” It is not only true but encouraging as well.
Please share your story if you live with and/or your loved ones live with the help of medical technology.
You can visit below to find about more about The Bakken Invitation and the 12 Honorees.
The Bakken Facebook | Medtronic Foundation Philanthropy’s Twitter | Bakken Community Page
I am excited to be able to offer a giveaway for a $100 Visa Gift Card for one of my lucky readers to be able to help in their community. Please comment below in the comments area for a chance to win a $100 prepaid Visa® gift card, and then you will put the name you commented with in the Giveaway Tools widget. Your comment is to be about you sharing creative ideas for giving back in your community!
**Please Note**
The winner of the giveaway will receive a $100 Visa® gift card to be used to make a positive impact on the winner’s community.
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