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Hello, I’m Mihaly Gyurics and today is Giving Tuesday!
I know what you’re already thinking…terms like Ankylosing Spondylitis and Enteropathic Arthritis are hard enough to pronounce and this guy has a name that looks like hieroglyphics! It’s easy. It’s pronounced “Me-High Jur-X” , not so bad!
I’ve been living with AS for basically my entire adult life. It’s been a painful, frustrating and sometimes lonely journey over the past 35 years. I got to the point where I was looking for some sort of support, someone else out there that’s been coping with this disease like me. I wanted to chat with others that know exactly what I am going through.
That’s when I found the Canadian Spondylitis Association (CSA) through my rheumatologist. I’m lucky to have an amazing one in Dr. Rohekar in London, Ontario! I reached out to CSA via email, looking for a support group that I could join during the earlier part of the COVID pandemic. At that time, I felt more alone, needing to be able to relate and talk with others at my lowest.
CSA introduced me to some amazing fellow patients who were hosting virtual meetings that I joined. The connections I made were invaluable and I immediately felt a sense of belonging and comfort in knowing that these people share similar experiences to mine. I asked if there was a local group in the London/Southwestern Ontario area and I found out there was not one in place at that time, but I was asked to consider starting one for Southwestern Ontario patients. I jumped in and volunteered to do this and I am now working with CSA to kick off a new group in 2023! I am absolutely ecstatic to be able to give back to my community, make new connections and help others living with spondyloarthritis.
I want to let others know after 35 years of living with AS that there’s more fight, there’s strength in supporting each other, and most importantly, you are NOT alone! There’s an amazing community here with the CSA, they make you feel like your family!
Giving Tuesday is a time when people are asked to make donations to the causes that affect them and those they care about. Please consider making a donation to the Canadian Spondylitis Association today, on Giving Tuesday, to help us raise funds to continue to build our patient support programs, to help more people like me in their time of need.
As a registered charity, CSA issues tax receipts for all donations, so please consider making a gift today. You can click on the link below to make a one time or monthly gift, or email [email protected] on other ways to donate.
Lastly, if you or someone you love needs support or information, please do not hesitate to reach out to CSA, and I invite you to join me and many others like me who are part of this supportive community.
Sincerely,
Mihaly Gihurics
London, Ontario
CSA Volunteer
P.S. Make your tax-deductible gift today below