Help Us Support the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Network

On November 13th, San Diego Roller Derby be supporting Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). The team has a personal connection to this disorder and has joined forces with EDSNC to find a cure or treatment to end the suffering for so many people. Our very own Sweet Pain was diagnosed in 1999 with mild symptoms of connective-tissue and joint looseness. In 2007 Sweet Pain was diagnosed with the most fatal type of EDS when after a year of mini strokes and increased pain the doctors found a cerebral aneurysm and had to perform brain surgery. She is one of the lucky ones but has a long road ahead of her. Unfortunately since this is a genetically inherited disorder it was passed down to her oldest daughter, Jenna Garcia, who suffers from repeated dislocations. Diagnosed in 2009 Jenna submitted to the state of California to have May EDS Awareness Month. Please help SDRD and our EDS friends raise money to help find a cure or at least find a treatment.

The money is going to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Network C.A.R.E.S. Inc. which is a non-profit organization ran only by volunteers to help fund research to find a cure or treatment for EDS. What this means is all donations and all money they make goes directly towards a cure and nothing else, which is great! If they keep getting enough funding, Dr. Hal Dietz at John Hopkins will find a cure or at least an effective treatment within 5 years. If not, it will take much longer.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a genetically inherited connective-tissue disorder that affects all body systems and can be extremely painful and debilitating for those who have it. Just a few of the many symptoms of this disorder include extreme joint looseness leading to repeat dislocations of various joints, stretchy or fragile skin that easily tears, cardiac effects, osteoarthritis, and among the most fatal are fragile blood vessels causing aneurysm. There are up to 7 types of this disorder however many folks have symptoms from multiple types. Some people will have minor issues that do not affect them and they may never know they have it, while others die from this disorder due to aneurysm or other complications relating to EDS. Children suffer the most from this disorder and many are so fragile that they pass away at a young age due to ruptures. The average life expectancy of someone with the most severe types is 40 years of age, however some children will not live past the age of 14.

EDSNC has been fighting for more funding to find a cure within the next 5 years. In the meantime, children and young adults will pass away from this terrible disorder. People who don't know they have it will pass away or suffer needlessly. Please help spread awareness so that a cure can be found and these deaths and suffering can be prevented.

The link to EDSNC is: http://www.ehlersdanlosnetwork.org/
The FB page is: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/EDS-Network-CARES/295238396730
The link to donate online directly to the research fund is (this can be found on the EDSNC website, but it's a little confusing to get there so here is is): https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=GOMvZw6s9-kYdqlOpzEzqQF_sEHfdA0S-LrHjvhYHP7LLEh_GcevPBm_bF0&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8dc60d77e6184470d51976060a4ab6ee74184470d51976060a4ab6ee74

Is Your Head Still Spinning? (10/09 Bout Recap)

I know mine still is. And it’s because of the highly energetic and tough bout the San Diego Roller Derby Rockettes played against the ladies from Derby Revolution of Bakersfield Privates. The game started off to an early lead by the Rockettes with spectacular jams by up and coming jammers such as Buns of Fury, Snow Bunny on Wheels, Crystal Breeze by You, and veteran derby player, Supersize N’. However, DRB didn’t allow the end of the first half to come to a close, without a point rally big enough to make the Rockettes nervous. And with good reason.

Half time began with the announcement of the successful MS Society fundraiser (you can still donate!). Every bout, SDRD is dedicated to a worthy charity that has ability to improve the livelihood of those they cater to. This month, SDRD raised enough money to provide well over 20 hours of home care for people with this progressive MS. However, the fight against MS didn’t and shouldn’t end at half time, you can still donate by visiting the main National MS Society Website or by pledging on behalf of SDRD. Every bit counts and makes all of us derby girls smile.

At the start of the second half it was clear the battle wasn’t just between SDRD and DRB. The fans were battling it out, chanting support loudly for their favorite team unlike ever experienced before at Skateworld. It began with a grumble that shouted “DRB! DRB DRB!”, that was quickly muted by “ Rockettes, Rockettes, Rockettes!”, only to be overtaken by a mixture of both sides shouting so loudly, the first lines up from both teams didn't hear the starting whistle of the second half, causing a few second of confusion among players.

Like so began the second half and the battle of who can get lead jammer status. No one knows what the coaches mentioned to the girls at half time, but whatever it was, both teams came back to fight stronger. Lead jammer seemed to alternate between teams every jam. Although all the Rockettes played a great game, there seemed to be a friendly competition between Berry Nasty, Tutu Tuff, and Berle Scout to see who could knock more girls off their wheels. The same could be said about the Privates own Fugitive, Ms. Hostility, Boarder Bandit and Wyld Wiccan. It was non-stop hits, just ask some of the girls, I’m sure they still feel it!

This, being one of the most exciting games the Rockettes have ever taken part in, was a game that came down to the last 30 seconds/final jam of the bout. The Rockettes needed to hold the Privates jammer, and with that hold on to the lead, while the Privates needed, by any means necessary, to get their jammer through. After what seemed an eternity, the Privates managed to create a hole just big enough for their jammer to get through to make the score 154-151, making it the Privates well deserved and very exciting first win of the season, and the Rockettes 4th bout ever played as a team.

It was indeed a very successful game. Everything just seemed to work well on that fateful Oct. 9th. This was some of the best refereeing (yes, it’s a real word) I've ever seen, it had some of the best crowd participation ever experienced at our beloved Skateworld, the charity was a great success (again, you can donate here and here) and everyone got a good bout out of it. Life is great. The pressure is now on the SDRD Starlettes to put on a great performance November 13th VS The Prison City Derby Dames, check out the San Diego Roller Derby website for upcoming tickets and info!

Also, don’t forget to check out our friends at Skateworld, San Diego’s one and only skating rink, and sign the petition, write the mayor and city council, check out the blog and join the facebook group to SAVE OUR SKATEWORLD! Please pass it on!

Realy For Life - A Meaningful Event For All

In our mission statement we talk about giving back to the community and that is something that we value very deeply. At each of our home bouts for the 2010 season, we have taken on the effort of supporting a different charity. The idea of participating in Relay for Life was brought to us by our teammate Indiana Bruiser who had participated in the event the previous year. This was obviously going to be the biggest charity event for this season. The Relay for Life event began at 9am on August 21^st, and the same evening we had a bout against Mission City Brawlin’ Betties from Santa Barbara. It was a very passionate day for our entire league. Ladies shared their personal stories and 4 skaters cut their hair to donate at half-time of the game. We had goals to have someone skating on the track for the full 24 hours, raise awareness for our friends, our family and our fans and most importantly, to help fight the bout with cancer!

Each person in our league has their own story to tell, just like many of you. Cancer effects 1 in 3 people… look at your family members, look at your friends…. I look at my teammates and those numbers are scary! Our teammate Berle Scout was interviewed at the event and was asked why she was participating. This is her story... "The Relay for Life is an event that really hit home for me. I lost my mom to ovarian cancer two years ago and have since vowed to do my part in cancer prevention, research, and awareness. Everyone knows someone who has been affected by this terrible disease, and it was great to see so many people join forces to fight it. I was especially proud of my team, San Diego Roller Derby, who raised over $3,000 for the American Cancer Society. I was even more inspired by my teammates who donated their hair to Locks of Love during halftime at our bout that day and hope to do so in the future as well. I look forward to participating in the Relay for Life again in years to come and have confidence that our efforts will help on this long journey towards a cure."

Themes, decorations, schedules, food, water, more food, skaters… "FIGHTING THE BOUT WITH CANCER" was our theme. We decorated with a giant skate at our tent. We met a lot of interesting people, heard some very amazing stories and we were very honored to participate. It was really nice to have support from the other Relay for Life teams who thought it was cool to see us using our "unique from of transportation". In the morning after the closing ceremonies a lot of people complimented us for having skaters out for the full 24 hours, even though they could hear us skate by in the middle of the night; they still thought it was great that we were out there giving it our all. With an amazing turnout of skaters even in the middle of the night, and raising a little over 3,000 dollars and we were pleased with the outcome of our hard work and fundraising. Now that we have a year under our belt, we can’t wait to start planning for 2011!

October 6th - It's a Roller Disco Birthday Party for Skateworld!

The Friends of Skateworld are hosting a birthday party for Skateworld! On Wednesday, October 6th, Skateworld will be celebrating 35 years of rollin' good times in San Diego with a Roller Disco Birthday Party! Please mark your calendars and invite your friends! This is sure to be a fantastically fun event complete with costume contests and birthday cake! Get your best 70's outfits ready! Admission is $7 and includes skate rental! With your paid admission you will receive a ticket for an opportunity drawing and could win a great prize - like a pair of skates! You won't want to miss this party!

Be sure to visit www.SanDiegoSkateworld.com for their latest skate session schedule. They are OPEN for weekly sessions and available for birthday parties and special events. We'll see you out on the floor!