2026 marks 5 years with my spinal CSF leak. For various reasons, primarily insurance barriers and family obligations, I hit pause on the path to treatment.

Long term leaking has its good days and its bad days. The tougher days delayed my sign-up for duradash® 2026, which wound up holding its own symbolism.

There are 5 days left in this year's annual fundraising event for the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation, one for each year I have been leaking. My fundraising goal is $666, an amount that will accomplish the Foundation's fundraising goal this year. 

Through leaking, I have never been one to back down from a challenge or attempt to pull off the impossible. I have more than completed 150 minutes of activity for this year's duradash, working much from the couch and taking walks at a much slower pace than I used to run long ago. 

I ask for donations for all those who start their journeys after mine. I fundraise for research and awareness so those who come after me have less barriers and shorter durations with spinal CSF leaks than I do. 

I offer my sincerest gratitude to all who: donate, share my duradash page, help me raise awareness, and support me on a daily basis when my leak interferes with my functioning, thinking, and communicating. 

Thank you for helping me, in whichever capacity that you do, to endure, fundraise, and improve the care for future leakers.