LADN Executive Director speaking during the Unity in Community event at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
LADN member Judy Craig speaking at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
LADN member Sarah Arakelian and LADN board member & treasurer Dante Quazzo with Unity in Community event swag bags at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
Attendees browsing the raffle items at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
Attendees in line at the Pie 'n Burger food truck, which donated 100% of sales to LADN at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
LADN Ambassadors actress Mara Wilson and Ms. Wheelchair CA Aly Corvin at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
LADN Board Members (Barbie Faze, Pie 'N Burger owner Michael Osborn, Dante Quazzo, Emily Suñez, Sally Krueger-Wyman, & Danielle Hinde) with Congresswoman Judy Chu at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
LADN Board Members & Physical Therapist Brianne Slusarenko speaking at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
LADN Co-founders Emily Suñez & Sally Krueger-Wyman with Congresswoman Judy Chu at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
LADN Co-founders Emily Suñez and Sally Krueger-Wyman at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
LADN Community Members at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
LADN members Anya Bershatsky and Brita Richardson checking in at the welcome table with volunteers Stephanie Harris and Steve Jacks at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
Musicians from the Crescendo Young Musicians Guild performing at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
Pie n Burger owner Michael Osborn, LADN Executive Director Sally Krueger-Wyman, & Bob Wyman at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
Volunteers Leyla Cortez and Daisy Tsao at the Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) fundraiser Unity in Community [Dylan Nguyen/LADN]
On Sunday, June 1st, over 200 patients, caregivers, and supporters gathered in Pasadena to celebrate Unity in Community, the annual fundraiser for Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN). The event was a festive celebration of community, connection, and hope for individuals and families impacted by dysautonomia.
LADN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Californians with dysautonomia—a group of disorders affecting the autonomic nervous system—through mental health support, community-building, education, and financial support. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, LADN raised $100,000, which included securing two full anonymous matching gifts of $25,000 and $15,000.
“There is nothing more powerful than a community coming together to celebrate and empower each other. With the outpouring of support from sponsors, donors, and community, we are hoping to expand the LADN team so that we can continue to increase our programs and provide for our rapidly growing community of patients and caregivers,” explained LADN co-founder and Executive Director Sally Krueger-Wyman.
The festive afternoon included live music by youth performers from the Crescendo Young Musicians Guild, fun activities like face painting, tarot readings, and chair massages, and a spirited “heads or tails” game that gave guests a chance to win a 2-night stay at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. There was a silent auction and raffle of a variety of donated items and experiences, and guests also enjoyed LADN canvas tote swag bags filled with sponsor goodies. Pasadena favorite Pie ’n Burger returned for the third year in a row with their food truck and generously donated 100% of sales to LADN.
The event featured powerful and moving speeches from community members and leaders. LADN community member and dysautonomia patient Judy Craig shared her experience of needing to re-define her career goals after falling ill and of finding comfort in the LADN community. Craig explained, “I’m grateful for the grace LADN has given me and for the radical vulnerability it fosters. I’ve met so many incredible people through this group.”
Another LADN community member, Brita Richardson, spoke about the challenges of raising a child with dysautonomia and the support her family found within the LADN community through the difficulties they’ve faced, including the loss of their home in the recent LA wildfires. “LADN is truly a community that comes together to help one another, especially in times of crisis,” she said.
Congresswoman Judy Chu voiced her support for LADN’s mission and presented LADN with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for its advocacy and support of dysautonomia patients. Congresswoman Chu stated, “I’m so grateful for this network which is truly helping people with tips and support. I also want you to know that I’m fighting in Congress for resources to raise awareness and find cures for dysautonomia.”
LADN board member Brianne Slusarenko, a physical therapist, spoke about the importance of LADN’s educational efforts that allow healthcare providers to better learn about the needs of this patient community: “LADN [is] so important because not only are they providing support to people living with dysautonomia and their families, but they’re also networking with healthcare professionals, providing educational opportunities, and providing educational resources to help us [medical professionals] actually provide better medical care.”
LADN Co-founder and Outreach Director Emily Sunez celebrated the event’s success. “We are so grateful that the community showed up to support patients and families impacted by dysautonomia.” Suñez reiterated the importance of LADN’s work, “While medical care addresses the symptoms, LADN provides the vital community support and empowerment patients need to navigate the challenges of living with a complex chronic illness.”
Funds raised will support LADN’s expanding programs, including support groups, community-building events, educational webinars, and healthcare access grants for patients with financial need. LADN’s membership has more than doubled in the past year, now serving over 575 patients and caregivers across California. The organization also plans to hire a third staff member to meet the growing needs of the community.
As the event’s name suggested, Unity in Community was evident as people came together to rally in support of LADN’s programs. “We believe there is nothing more powerful than community,” commented Krueger-Wyman. “The community support we saw at the event truly exemplified LADN’s work to ensure no patient feels alone in battling dysautonomia,” Suñez added.
