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The Lupus Foundation of Northern California was in the San Jose Mercury recently! Read the article from Sal Pizzaro below!
GOOD MATCH: When Tom Bakewell was asked if he could help find a new executive director for the Lupus Foundation of Northern California, he realized he knew just the person: himself. Bakewell — who got into nonprofits a few years ago after a long tech career — wasn’t just looking for a new challenge. He also had a personal connection to the autoimmune disease — his mother had it before she died and his oldest daughter also has been diagnosed with it. Even though he had never led a nonprofit — he was most recently CIO at the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance — he said its been a “scary but extraordinarily fulfilling” experience since he joined the organization in February. They support 18 chapters statewide from Sacramento to Monterey. “Seeing what patients go through and seeing how dedicated the very small staffs are has completely changed my view on why you get up and go to work,” he said. His current challenge is putting on the 29th annual Outrun Lupus 5K run and walk in Campbell on Sept. 23. Campbell Mayor Anne Bybee will be out there that morning, and barre 3 studio will be helping the runners and walkers warm up. While the goal of the event is to raise money, Bakewell said it’s also important to raise awareness about a disease that most people don’t understand. San Jose resident Jane Siebenmorgen, the foundation’s 2023 honoree, does a great job of personalizing lupus with the story of her diagnosis and what came next for her. You can read it, and get more information on the run by going to lfnc.org and clicking on “Outrun Lupus 5K” under “Get Involved.” |
