WALK4HEARING

Friends, Salusians, fellow colleagues,

Lend me your ears, a couple minutes of your time, and some mental processing capacity (boy, Shakespeare had it easy)!  It was not that long ago when people wearing glasses were met with some form of derision.   There was a stigma tied into being a four eye (and I have been told astigmatism as well). Let’s face it- it is kind of hard to be likeable when your eyes are dioptrically warped by windshield-size lens.  Glasses were considered socially awkward, by correlation to the usually nerdish being behind them, or the “old fogey” who relies on them.   Let’s just say back in the day, glasses and virility was rarely linked; but I digress.

What I am trying to say is there is now a parallel between vision problems and hearing loss.  As a budding audiologist, one of the most alarming statistics we learn is the exponentially growing number of people who have some form of hearing loss that goes undetected, or untreated due to a myriad of reasons.  Amongst them is the lack of awareness, and non-acceptance .   This is why it behooves us to raise awareness and campaign for the cause of our patients.

Beyond our skills as diagnostic clinicians, we owe it to our patients to provide them with the knowledge and support that they require to get them through some rough patches.  It would be foolish for us to handle this all on our own, and luckily, there are resources available.  This brings me to the reason I am writing this letter to you.

One of the organizations that is intricately involved in helping individuals with hearing loss is The Hearing Loss Association of America.   Each year, various local chapters of HLAA host the annual Walk4Hearing event to garner funding and awareness.  This year is no exception as the Pennsylvania Chapter of HLAA will be hosting Walk4Hearing on September 25th, 2011 (Sunday) at Ridley Creek State Park at Newtown Square PA.   They are in need of our assistance in whatever form we can provide, be it monetary or physical, to make this event a success.   It is for the reason that I appeal to each and every one of you to become involved.

As of now, we are in need of volunteers to help at the event; we need more team members to walk during the event; any amount one can donate; and we need individuals to help push for the event with whatever talent they can offer.  Please, this is an important event for HLAA, whose mission closely aligns with that of SAA in its endeavor to advocate for hearing loss patients. It is also an important event for SAA too as part of the funds raised will go twards SAA's operational budget in future screenings, securing equipment, and inviting guest lecturers to campus.  Your services, in whatever form will be greatly appreciated.

I have enclosed herewith a volunteer form for you to fill out should you be available to help out at the event.  I have also enclosed instructions on how to be join the Salus University Team.  We will also be in need of creative talent to design T-shirts for the event.   If you feel called to any of the abovementioned aspects, of if you have other gifts you can provide towards the cause, please do not hesitate to let me know.

On behalf of SAA and HLAA, my sincere gratitude towards your willingness to help in this endeavor.

Sincerely,
Andy Lau
President, Salus University chapter of SAA


How to join the Salus University Walk4Hearing Team
1.  Click on the following link:
http://hlaa.convio.net/site/TR/Teamraiser/PennsylvaniaWalk/1993330749?pg=team&fr_id=1901&team_id=19930
2.  Click on "Join Team" and follow the steps.



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