Ten years ago, I introduced my book, SHOWgrins: Women Who Walk on Water at the 2013 Sjögren's National Patient Conference. We hosted a Celebrity Panel Book Signing Extravaganza featuring the Fab Five women who shared their inspirational stories of courage, determination, and spirit. These extraordinary women, Cathy Taylor, Estrella Bibbey, Judy Kang, Lynn Petruzzi, and Paula Beth Sosin opened their hearts and shared their motivational stories with the world. Paula is now married. (Paula Yelsey) She and her husband welcomed their first child, a baby boy, in March, 2023.

Through the heartwarming stories of these five remarkable women and the intimate details of their journeys, millions will be inspired, encouraged, and motivated to face any crossroad in their lives, whether they have Sjögren's or not.

During that same year, I had the honor of attending the Readers' Favorite Award Ceremony in Miami, FL, where my book received the top award, a gold medal, in the international book award contest. New doors where opened allowing me to share the Fab Five's captivating stories on the international stage.

In honor of four of these remarkable women and in memory of Judy Kang, the one we lost too soon, I am celebrating the 10th anniversary of the book's debut by sponsoring this year's national walk on April 1, 2023. I was a walk participant in Bethesda, MD ten years ago at the national walk, ran a half-marathon with Team Sjögren's in Nashville, TN, and ran a 10K with Team Sjögren's CA in the Santa Cruz to Capitola (CA) Wharf to Wharf Race. All of this happened in 2013; thus I fondly remember that life-changing year I became forever connected to Sjögren's. It's hard to believe ten years have passed.

-> Read my blog tribute to Judy Kang, the one we lost too soon:

What Do You Do When You Lose One?

-> Did you know that Sjögren's is the second most prevalent rheumatic autoimmune disease affecting roughly four million Americans, yet it remains a relatively unknown disease? Your support of my fundraising efforts will help increase awareness, education and research of this chronic disease that has no cure.

-> Sjögren's is pronounced SHOWgrins; hence the title of my book: SHOWgrins. Visit my website for more information.

-> Watch my video blog—Winning Gold with Sjögren's (SHOWgrins)

-> For your donation of $25 or more, I will send you a free autographed copy of my book to thank you for helping my fundraising efforts (and also because I think it's a good book for you to read!)