Alan Hershowitz

Alan Hershowitz's Fundraiser

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Please Donate to the Ehlers-Danlos Society

In Memory of Yvonne Ervin

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$935 towards $998

The Ehlers-Danlos Society

Yvonne Ervin would have turned 60 on September 14, 2019. She was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) at age 12. The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of 14 heritable connective tissue disorders that produce a spectrum of complex problems across multiple systems of the body. Hallmark symptoms across all types are hypermobile joints, skin hyperextensibility, & tissue fragility. Each case is unique and severity may range dramatically, even within families.

Yvonne's determination to live a full and productive life in spite of EDS explains more than anything else why Yvonne accomplished so much in her life, never wasting a moment on anything not important to her, her family, her friends, and her community.

Yvonne spent her entire life in great pain, undergoing physical therapy and working hard to stabilize her joints. All of her major systems were affected, and she suffered side effects from many of the medications she needed. In the last two months of her life, there is no doubt that EDS impacted Yvonne's attempted recovery and rehabilitation, and contributed to various complications rarely seen from Hepatitis A alone.

Yvonne kept her condition out of public view, and only her closest family and friends were fully aware of her challenges. Last year, she decided that she would officially "come out" about her condition during the 2019 Tucson Jazz Festival, which she did not live to see. She planned to step down as the festival's Executive DIrector but remain as Artistic Director for a while, and spend more and more time taking care of herself and advocating for those who suffer from EDS. She had already become active on various Facebook support groups, and would have finally become a hard-working supporter of The Ehlers-Danlos Society. That is why I am raising awareness and funds for The Ehlers-Danlos Society in Yvonne's memory. The Ehlers-Danlos Society is a global community dedicated to saving & improving the lives of those affected by the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, hypermobility spectrum disorders, & related conditions. Their goal is world-wide awareness and better quality of life for all who suffer from these conditions, regardless of geography.