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WHEREAS, The GBS|CIDP Foundation International will host its 14th Annual Walk & Roll for GBS|CIDP on September 19, 2026 at South Park. The purpose is to spread awareness for this rare disease community, raise money for research, advocate for plasma donations, and give patients living with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), or Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) an opportunity to share stories and know they are not alone on their journey; and,
WHEREAS, the event brings together patients, care partners, medical professionals, and a group of new community partners for 2026 including Top Soccer PA West, Pittsburgh Dynamo, Three Rivers Adaptive Sports, Achieva, and Animal Friends’ Therapets to enhance the experience for walkers; and,
WHEREAS, through the Foundation’s mission to improve the quality of life for individuals and their families, Kristen Morgan, Pittsburgh’s Walk Chair, organizes the walk with four pillars in mind support, education, research, and advocacy. Kristen organized one of the first three inaugural walks of 2013 in the Foundation’s walk program, and she is the longest-serving Walk Chair. She is a CIDP patient and has been in remission the entire time she has organized the Walk & Roll; and,
WHEREAS, she is inspired to celebrate care partners during this year’s walk. Her yoga teacher, Sterling Painton, has stood and stretched by her side every year and now presents to patients from all over the world at the GBS|CIDP Foundation International biannual Symposium. She is a distinguished member of their Interdisciplinary Health Committee.
WHEREAS, Keyna Warren is a care partner to her younger sister, Khamora, and shares Kristen’s vision that organizations are “stronger together.” She has led the effort to invite community partners to this year’s event. All three women support this small but mighty community that has exceeded their fundraising goal for three years in a row; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Pittsburgh deeply appreciates individuals whose passion and civic engagement set a standard of excellence for others to follow; and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Saturday September 19, 2026 to be “Walk & Roll for GBS/CIDP Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.