Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America http://wlsfa.org Tipping the scales in the right direction. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:19:40 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 WLSFA releases it’s 2012 Logo Charms! http://wlsfa.org/3607/wlsfa-releases-its-2012-logo-charms/ http://wlsfa.org/3607/wlsfa-releases-its-2012-logo-charms/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:33:52 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3607 We are so excited to have our 2012 Logo Charms available! This fundraising program was started last year when we released the Logo necklaces that are all sold out. This year we had a Pewter Charm created by a wonderful company called Charity Charms. Click HERE to get your charm today!

In other news…..

We have just over 100 days until the Mother of All Meet & Greets in Las Vegas! Our Hotel rooms are almost sold out so please book your room soon!
Get you event tickets BEFORE 2/29/1012 to get the extended early bird pricing! Click HERE now to book your room and get tickets! We will sell out again this year. Speaking of that THANK YOU to the hundreds of people who have already gotten their tickets and rooms! We will have a whole host of amazing activities, speakers, awards and surprises!



2012 Mother of all Meet & Greet Exhibitors and Sponsors as of today are:
Allergan –Two Time Platinum Sponsor
Bariatric Advantage – Two Time Gold Sponsor
BariWear – New for 2012
BCS Coleen Cook – New for 2012
Bell Plantation PB2 – New for 2012
Big Train Fit Frappe’ – New for 2012
BJ Bariatrics
Blender Bottles
Body Media – New for 2012
Building Blocks Vitamins – New for 2012
Celebrate Vitamins – Two Time Gold Sponsor
Core Omega
Dr. Alejandro Quiroz, M.D. – New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
Dr. Michael Pickart, M.D. – New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
Dr. J Timothy Katzen, M.D. -Two Time Professional Sponsor
Dr. Joseph Michaels, M.D.– New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
Flat-D – New for 2012
GoTein
It Works Body Wraps
New Whey Nutrition
NuGo
Obesity Help
Pharmics
Premier Nutrition
Protica – New for 2012
Synovis – New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
Slimpressions
UDI’s Gluten Free Breads – New for 2012
Wellesse – New for 2012 – Professional Sponsor
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!!!!

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone: 657-229-5732
Email: info@wlsfa.org

]]> http://wlsfa.org/3607/wlsfa-releases-its-2012-logo-charms/feed/ 0 Texas Association of Bariatric Surgeons Welcomes the WLSFA! http://wlsfa.org/3556/texas-association-of-bariatric-surgeons-welcomes-the-wlsfa/ http://wlsfa.org/3556/texas-association-of-bariatric-surgeons-welcomes-the-wlsfa/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:56:27 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3556

Our vision came to life!

On behalf of the WLSFA there are days planned for and visualized. Days that feel like make or break moments for the foundation, the mission and even for me personally as I toil away “with all the madness in my heart” ~ Bruce Springsteen and work along with our amazing board to create and share awarness for the WLSFA and our mission to fund grants for weight loss and reconstructive surgery. The message seems simple, help us fund grants for surgery. Who would not support our goals? You would be suprised just how many whould have us sidelined before we even got started. This past weekend felt like a dream come true!

A wonderful organization the Texas Association For Bariatric Surgery also known as TABS invited the WLSFA to their annual meeting on January 21 in Austin Texas. We hosted an exhibitor table and spoke at the end of their luncheon. We thank TABS President Dr. Joseph Kuhn and Allied Health President Cyndi Inkpen for this amazing opportunity. Cyndi is also on the board of directors for the WLSFA. The talk I gave was from the heart. I needed to connect with the Bariatric Surgeons hearts and make a business case that supports the long term vision of the WLSFA and the positive impact it has on both patients and medical practices. Three others speakers went before me as the attendees enjoyed their lunch, desert and coffee. I was afraid they would start leaving as we were behind schedule! Everyone stayed glued to their seats. I was introduced to the gathering of over 100 Bariatric surgeons and allied health professionals by Cyndi. I felt my knees wobbling and my heart pounding but by thoughts were clear as I began to deliver my speech. On the overhead were the calming presence of the twins. Rosemary and Connie gazed back at that room full of surgeons and I saw their hearts melt as I recounted their story and how the WLSFA was forever grateful to a Texas Surgeon named Dr. Garth Davis our Inaugural Grant Surgeon and who just happened to be in the front row! It sure was nice to have a familiar face to focus on! After the talk many attendees came up to me to thank us for our work and let me know they would like to be involved. The Table I had been manning all morning was suddenly swarmed and I knew the message had been delivered and the doctors and allied health professionals understood my message.

Please read the speech HERE

I was honored to receive a gift from a fellow presenter, Mr Rick Miller Director of Texas A & M Center for Applied Leadership. View their web site HERE Mr. Miller also a weight loss surgery patient presented me with this world marble. Rick explained that he presents this small token to people the program considers Leaders who are changing the world! WOW I was so touched. This little gift is now my most prized possession, with out knowing it Rick gave my confidence the boost it needed to follow up on this meeting to do great things for our beloved WLS community! I was also honored to do an filmed interview for Rick and his group and I will share that with you all when it becomes public.

The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
If you have questions please contact the WLSFA:
On the web: http://wlsfa.org
Phone:657-229-5732
Email: info@wlsfa.org


Together we are saving lives one grant at a time… Please Join US!

]]> http://wlsfa.org/3556/texas-association-of-bariatric-surgeons-welcomes-the-wlsfa/feed/ 0 IT IS BACK! We have a Brand New 2012 CLICK Bike for our WLSFA Raffle! http://wlsfa.org/3509/it-is-back-we-have-a-brand-new-2012-click-bike-for-our-wlsfa-raffle/ http://wlsfa.org/3509/it-is-back-we-have-a-brand-new-2012-click-bike-for-our-wlsfa-raffle/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 02:20:22 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3509 The fine people at CLICK have given the WLSFA a Brand New CLICK Bike for our Raffle in Las Vegas at the Mother of All Meet & Greets in May! Beth Smith from CLICK will be riding the bike around BALLY’S during our fundraiser and it could yours for the price of a Raffle Ticket!

We have some many Great New Exhibitors joining us at the 2012 Mother of All Meet & Greets. We will be posting soon with all the New and Returning Exhibitors, Sponsors and Speakers! Just wanted to share this tonight! Thanks CLICK for being a part of the event and supporting the WLS Community!


Learn More about the Meet & Greet Here: wlsfa.org/2012mg-2/
Visit CLICK to learn about their Coffee Lovers Protein Drinks: http://drinkclick.com/
Post again soon! Antonia

]]> http://wlsfa.org/3509/it-is-back-we-have-a-brand-new-2012-click-bike-for-our-wlsfa-raffle/feed/ 1 WLSFA -IMPORTANT CALL TO ACTION!!! $100,000 is at stake http://wlsfa.org/3498/wlsfa-important-call-to-action-100000-is-at-stake/ http://wlsfa.org/3498/wlsfa-important-call-to-action-100000-is-at-stake/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:41:29 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3498 The WLSFA has been nominated to win $100,000 worth of Public Relation and Marketing Services from a Marketing company named Shazaaam. PLEASE go to this link

http://shazaaam.com/contest/vote.php

Enter your First Name, Last Name and Email address then select 10 of the listed Charities and make SURE the WLSFA is one of them! You can make one vote per email address you use. Thank you so much for helping us with this contest. Also please share this link with others! Together we are saving lives one grant at a time!

]]> http://wlsfa.org/3498/wlsfa-important-call-to-action-100000-is-at-stake/feed/ 0 Early Bird Pricing Extended! Happy New Year! http://wlsfa.org/3445/early-bird-pricing-extended-happy-new-year/ http://wlsfa.org/3445/early-bird-pricing-extended-happy-new-year/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:36:32 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3445

VIP Winner Liz Anderson - CONGRATULATIONS from the WLSFA!

We held our VIP Prize Package Drawing on New Years Eve at 5 PM. The Winner was Liz Anderson from Houston Texas! Liz will receive Round Trip Airfare, Limo Service to and from the Airport, Priority Check in Service, Hotel Room, Meet & Greet Tickets and a Diamond VIP all Access Card that get’s her true Las Vegas Style VIP treatment where ever she goes! We thank everyone who bought their tickets early and we know you join the board of the WLSFA in congratulating our special winner! Tickets sales have gone very well for the Mother of All Meet & Greets and after careful consideration we have decided to Extend the Early Bird Pricing until Feb 29 2012. As you all know it is the ticket sales that go into our Grant Fund.We also raise money with corporate sponsorship and we are doing very well in that area! Because the economy has been so harsh to so many in our community, heck country! we are choosing to extend the discounts for as long as possible to allow more WLS Peeps to join us in Las Vegas!

For 2012 we have a new WLSFA Logo Item “Charity Charms”

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER!
They are Pewter Charms with the WLSFA Logo on the Front and our WLSFA.ORG Web Address on the back along with the year 2012. The “Charity Charms” are being made now and should be available in the next fe weeks. Here is the artists rendering of the charm. They come on a rubber bracelet but can be put on a Key Chain, Necklace or Purse Strap it is up to you. Just like the Logo Necklace we had in 2011 it will be available to puchase online and at the Meet & Greet. They are yours for a $25 dollar donation. Here is what they look like on the bands.

Sample Giving Bands


GivingBands® were created by Charity Charms® to help charities spread awareness.

  • The bands are flexible, earth friendly silicone that fit almost every wrist.
  • They Come in 10 standard colors, but custom colors can be ordered.
  • The charms are MADE in AMERICA out of recycled Lead Free Pewter.
  • GivingBands are assembled by adults with disabilities.

    • We are starting to Build our Agenda for the Meet & Greet- Take a peek!

    Friday May 18
    12 Noon:
    Registration starts at Noon!
    Free Line Dance Lessons all afternoon.
    7:00 PM
    New Grants Awarded, Volunteer Awards , A year in Review
    Friday Night Opening Party: “Country round-up” and Chili Tastin’ Hosted by Celebrate Vitamins
    Live Country Music and Line Dancing
    Enjoy the Chili Tastin’ with recipes that will work for all our specials needs. Enjoy refreshments and No Host Bar

    Saturday May 19
    8:00 AM
    Exhibitors Tables & Main Meet & Greet Room Opens
    9:00 AM
    Live Weight Loss Surgery Streamed to our “OR Gallery”
    Witness a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy performed by Dr. Paul Cirangle. The Doctor will take your question during the surgery.
    All Day Saturday
    Speakers are scheduled all day Saturday! ~ Key Note Speak Dr. David Katz
    Please see Speakers List for more information CLICK HERE
    12 Noon:
    Light Lunch Buffet and Refreshments
    6:30 PM
    Saturday Night Gala ~ Hosted By Allergan
    Special Speaker to Be Announced
    Enjoy a Vegas Show Girl Reception and time to mingle and compare your “Bling” and find out who wins the 2nd Annual “Bling Off”
    Enjoy a WLS Friendly Elegant Sit Down Dinner then a Special Performance by Elvis Presley and Dancing.
    Enjoy refreshments and No Host Bar

    Sunday May 20
    Sunday Morning Farewell Brunch ~ Hosted By Bariatric Advantage
    Enjoy Coffee and a Quiche Good-bye and the be part of the class picture for our 2012 event!
    Coffee, Tea, Water and Light Juice Served along with a variety of WLS Friendly Quiche to Sample.

    Life is so bitter sweet…

    And finally a very sad time for the WLS Patient Community. We lost a beloved young man a member of our community on December 28th 2011 Mr. Yehuda Groden
    was only 23 years old. Yehuda was known by many WLS Peeps both online and in real life. He died in his sleep. The cause of death is not known. The WLSFA extends our sincerest Condolences to Yehuda’s Family and Freinds. May he rest in peace and may we all be reminded just how precious each moment is as we circle the sun. ~ Until next post Antonia

    ]]>     http://wlsfa.org/3445/early-bird-pricing-extended-happy-new-year/feed/ 0     Year End updates and a shout of from the King! http://wlsfa.org/3324/year-end-updates-and-a-shout-of-from-the-king/ http://wlsfa.org/3324/year-end-updates-and-a-shout-of-from-the-king/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:27:00 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3324
    How is it possible 2011 is almost over? It feels like yesterday we were all together in Las Vegas celebrating our inaugural grant recipients Connie and Sarah! Today our FIFTH grant recipient Renda, is having her Gastric Bypass Surgery as I type this message! What an amazing year 2011 turned out to be. Together we humble WLS Peeps raised tens of thousands of dollars to fund the five grants. We can hold our heads high, knowing there are real people out in this world that we have helped get surgery! Our Goal is to double the amount of grants for 2012. We know with your support, continued help spreading the word about the WLSFA to your friends, surgeons and support groups we can make that goal and possibly surpass it!
    The Entire Board of Directors of the WLSFA THANK YOU ALL for your continued support!


    And now a word from Elvis who will be performing for us at the Saturday Night Gala at BALLY’s

    Travis Allen was voted #1 Elvis Impersonator in 2009. We are very happy he was available to perform at the 2012 Mother of All Meet & Greets! Elvis is not only performing for us but he also made a donation to the WLSFA and filmed this awesome shout out! To top it off one lucky WLS peep will be serenaded by Elvis, who will that peep be? It will be the Winner of our Saturday Night Gala "BLING OFF" Contest!
    Please watch the video below to get a wonderful preview of Elvis in action!
    Click here to book Elvis for your next shin dig!

    Important Dates

  • December 31.2011 is the dead line to get early bird discount pricing on the 2012 Mother of All Meet & greet Tickets! Get tickets here: http://wlsfa.org/2012mg-2/tickets/
  • VIP Drawing also on December 31, 2011 AT 5:00 PM PST 7 PM CST and 8 PM EST We will draw the winning name of the VIP Package Winner. The names are the first 200 people who bought tickets for the Meet & Greet. We still have 10 slots open so you can still get in on this contest!! view the drawing LIVE on the web at this URL: http://www.justin.tv/wlsfa

    • VIP Package includes the following:

  • Two Meet & Greet Tickets ( You will receive a refund for your purchased tickets )
  • A hotel Room for two at Bally’s for two nights during the event
  • Two Round Trip Coach Class Airline Tickets
  • Limo Service to the hotel from the airport and back
  • VIP Access cards to all eight Caesar’s properties (get into any show or restaurant with out reservations, and get access to secret VIP lounges!)
    • ]]>     http://wlsfa.org/3324/year-end-updates-and-a-shout-of-from-the-king/feed/ 1     WLSFA Funds our Fifth Grant for Mrs. Renda Springs http://wlsfa.org/3288/wlsfa-funds-our-fifth-grant-for-mrs-renda-springs/ http://wlsfa.org/3288/wlsfa-funds-our-fifth-grant-for-mrs-renda-springs/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:55:01 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3288 Tis the Season of Giving In that spirit the WLSFA is very excited to award our fifth grant to Mrs. Renda Springs. On December 22 Renda will have her long awaited weight loss surgery. Like many of us already on the “Loser Bench” Renda has struggled her entire life with weight. Searching for a long term solution to help her win the struggle against obesity, weight loss surgery came into focus.

    “With my family, the support of the medical staff, and a strong support group I have no doubt I will succeed at this journey.
    This grant will allow me an opportunity that words could never express. You would be giving me life!
    You would also be providing my daughter and husband with a mother and wife for many more years.” – Renda Springs

    The WLSFA is excited to have the resources to issue a final grant for 2011. This first year of grant giving exceeded our goals and we could not be more greatful to our WLS Patient community. When asked to give it was the PATIENTS who came to the plate, each one paying it forward with what ever amount they could. Those many small donations add up and together our community is truely giving back. We also want to thank our corporate sponsors. Their sponsorships and donations made our success in grant giving possible as well. Companies like Allergan, Celebrate Vitamins, Bariatric Advantiage, Synovis, Dr. Katzen and others truly care and support us all on the WLS Journey. We are so pleased to be adding new corporate sponsors for the 2012 fundraising cycle and we hope our WLS Peep community let’s these companies know how much it means that they not only make products we use and need but that they care about the people affected by the decease of obesity and it’s medical treatment!

    Please consider making a donation to the WLSFA

    Send a check to: Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America
    417 Mace Blvd. Suite J -236
    Davis, CA. (5618

    The WLSFA is a 501 ( c ) 3 Nonprofit Organization All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

    ]]> http://wlsfa.org/3288/wlsfa-funds-our-fifth-grant-for-mrs-renda-springs/feed/ 0 Tis the Season of Giving and Early Bird Discount Reminder! http://wlsfa.org/3243/tis-the-season-of-giving-and-early-bird-discount-reminder/ http://wlsfa.org/3243/tis-the-season-of-giving-and-early-bird-discount-reminder/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:21:59 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3243 Can you believe it is almost the end of the year? The WLSFA has accomplished so much this year. We were able to fund four surgery grants! That was our goal for 2011 and we made it, thanks to ALL OF YOU! We have 31 days until new years eve and that is the date our Mother of All Meet & Greet Early Bird Discount Pricing Ends!

    Early Bird Deadlines and Details

    Buy Meet & Greet Tickets and Hotel CLICK HERE!


    The WLSFA Annual Fundraiser ~ The Mother of All Meet & Greets ~BALLY’S Las Vegas May 18,19,20 2012

  • Early Bird Discounted Event Tickets cost $80 per attendee until 12/31/2011
  • From 1/1/2012 until sold out the regular discount event tickets cost $110 per attendee

    • If you are booking your hotel room at a different hotel no discounts apply.

  • Full price event tickets are $170 per attendee

    • Tis the season of giving! Each year thousands of Americans die from health issues related to morbid obesity. Our WLS patient community understands just how difficult it is to be turned away from life saving and life changing surgery because of insurance denials and other financial reasons. Obesity was one of the only major disease processes not connected to a medical charity until the WLSFA! Please help us grow our net work of care by choosing the WLSFA for your year end charitable donations. Ask your Bariatric Surgeon to support the WLSFA and become a member of our Grant Referral Network!

    Together we can save lives one grant at a time.

    2011 Grants Awarded to:
    Connie Bailey – Read More…
    Sarah Halbrook – Read More…
    Jose Vedro – Read More…
    Kimberly Grimes – Read More…

    Donations can also be mailed to:

    Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America
    417 Mace Blvd. Suite J -236
    Davis, CA 95618

    The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501 ( c ) Public Charity

    ]]>     http://wlsfa.org/3243/tis-the-season-of-giving-and-early-bird-discount-reminder/feed/ 0     A message of thanks from Kimberly Grimes our newest grant recipient. http://wlsfa.org/3108/a-message-of-thanks-from-kimberly-grimes-our-newest-grant-recipient/ http://wlsfa.org/3108/a-message-of-thanks-from-kimberly-grimes-our-newest-grant-recipient/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:43:31 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3108 So close to Thanksgiving, this message of thanks touched my heart. Many times in life we forget to be thankful for all the blessing we have. I am reminded this time of year to stop and thank all of those people who have made my life better. Kimberly our newest grant recipient is a young wife and mother of four with a wonderful life ahead of her. Kimberly could not have had the weight loss surgery with out the grant from the WLSFA. The entire Board of the WLSFA would like to give thanks to our community. Thank you to the patients, companies and medical professionals who are helping us build a network of care. With your donations and generous sponsorship, together we are saving lives one grant at a time!

    Kimberly Grimes WLSFA grant Recipient


    Please go to Kimberly’s’ You Tube Channel and Subscribe show her some WLS Peep Support!
    http://www.youtube.com/user/kimberlymgrimes
    Please consider a Donation to the WLSFA during the Holiday Season.
    CLICK HERE TO DONATE

    Click HERE to contact the WLSFA with questions or comments
    The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501(C)3 Non Profit Public Charity

    ]]>     http://wlsfa.org/3108/a-message-of-thanks-from-kimberly-grimes-our-newest-grant-recipient/feed/ 1     Kimberly Grimes WLSFA Grant Recipient to have weight loss surgery November 28th! http://wlsfa.org/3035/kimberly-grimes-wlsfa-grant-recipient-to-have-weight-loss-surgery-november-28th/ http://wlsfa.org/3035/kimberly-grimes-wlsfa-grant-recipient-to-have-weight-loss-surgery-november-28th/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:04:02 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3035
    I’m a busy young mother of four boys. Having dealt with obesity since the age of nine, and with a family history of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, it has been my dream to have the Duodenal Switch so that I could be healthier and be able to get down on the floor and play with my kids. With the help of the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America and it’s supporters, my dream will become a reality on November 28th.

    My life is very busy with my hubby, four boys, ages 4. 6. 8 and 10 and two miniature schnauzers. If that wasn’t full time enough, I also work full time for a very well known mortgage company. I’m excited about the prospect of having the energy to keep up with my boys and to keep my household running. Right now, it takes all the energy I have to just go through the motions and go about my daily life… I’m ecstatic that this will soon be a distant memory for me.

    This isn’t my first go around with WLS, in December 2008 I had RNY. It’s been nearly 3 years and a very wild ride. With numerous complications I was very fortunate to have my insurance company grant me approval for a revision to my original surgery. The Grant from the WLSFA is allowing me to pay fee’s not covered by my insurance. Throughout everything, I’ve never looked back, and never regretted my decision to have WLS, it’s a gift that I’m very fortunate to have received.

    Please feel free to add me on facebook and follow me on youtube as I will begin posting video blogs of my experience!

    http://www.facebook.com/kimberlymariegrimes

    http://www.youtube.com/kimberlymgrimes

    The WLSFA is happy we were able to assist Kimberly, enabling her surgery to go forward this month. Kimberly is the first recipient of a grant for a revision surgery and another milestone for the WLSFA. One of our Our missions is to improve the quality of life for people affected by morbid obesity and to make their lives better. For some revision is needed to compete their Journey to health. We wish Kimberly the best and know that our WLS patient community will be there to cheer her on!.

    Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America Mission Statement:
    Ending Obesity by empowering people to move from surviving to thriving through weight loss surgery, education and support.Performing charitable services and supporting research to find solutions to enhance the quality of life of the morbidly obese community. Raising awareness and funds for surgery.

    ]]>     http://wlsfa.org/3035/kimberly-grimes-wlsfa-grant-recipient-to-have-weight-loss-surgery-november-28th/feed/ 1     It’s Official the WLSFA is a 501 (c) 3 Public Charity! http://wlsfa.org/3020/its-official-the-wlsfa-is-a-501-c-3-public-charity/ http://wlsfa.org/3020/its-official-the-wlsfa-is-a-501-c-3-public-charity/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:56:51 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=3020 It’s finally official! The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America received our determination letter from the I.R.S. in today’s mail. Our beloved WLSFA is no longer a program of the BLIS Foundation. We have been approved by the federal government to operate on our own! The WLSFA would like to thank Mr. Arthur Richards of the BLIS foundation for helping our cause and believing in our mission from day one. Their fiscal sponsorship allowed us to raise funds we could not have qualified for by allowing the WLSFA to operate under their 501(c) 3 status.

    WLSFA CEO Antonia Namnath said “It’s feels good to have our own status and this opens the door to many new relationships and fundraising opportunities.” The timing could not have been better as today the WLSFA also received a very generous donation from our newest corporate sponsor Synovis® As a Professional Level Sponsor for our 2012 Mother of All Meet & Greets Annual Fundraising event, the fine people of Synovis® are showing our WLS patient community they care.

    To all who donated to the WLSFA please note All Donations to the WLSFA become tax deductible back dated to April of 2010! To all future donors, If your company offers a MATCHING GIFTS program please consider submitting the WLSFA to that program. Corporations like Chase Bank for example will MATCH donation their employee makes to an approved 501 (c) 3 Non Profit organization like the WLSFA. This is a way to double your gift to the WLSFA. If you have questions about this topic please feel free to send us an email at info@wlsfa.org and we will contact you directly.

    ]]>     http://wlsfa.org/3020/its-official-the-wlsfa-is-a-501-c-3-public-charity/feed/ 4     One Month Post Body Lift , Sarah asks us all to be Ambassadors for the WLSFA http://wlsfa.org/2966/awsome-video-promo-for-our-2012-mother-of-all-meet-greets/ http://wlsfa.org/2966/awsome-video-promo-for-our-2012-mother-of-all-meet-greets/#comments Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:00:34 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=2966 A sincere thank you to all who volunteer and donate to the WLSFA from Sarah Halbrook, Grant Recipient.

    Yes you can help the WLSFA! In these hard economic times many of us do not have money to donate. We can still pay if forward by becoming Ambassadors for the WLSFA. What does an ambassador do? They help others become aware of the mission of the WLSFA. They spread the word about our grant program and our annual fundraiser. You can start today by printing the flier linked below and bringing it to places like your doctors office and ask them if they will display it in the waiting room so that all of their WLS patients will know about the WLSFA and our annual fundraising event. If you can, take a photo of it and you in the office and send it to us (info@wlsfa.org) and we will post it in our “Show You Support“ Gallery here in the web site!

    Click Here To Become an Ambassador of Hope for the WLSFA!

    Michael Tow of Bariatric TV produced this great Promo from interviews he filmed along with interview filmed by Tad Barker and Connor Byers from this years 2011 Mother of all Meet & Greets. Lot s familiar faces sharing there thoughts about the fundraising event. Join us again in 2012!

    Click HERE for details about the event and how you can join us in May 2012!

    ]]>     http://wlsfa.org/2966/awsome-video-promo-for-our-2012-mother-of-all-meet-greets/feed/ 2     Discounted Early Bird 2012 Mother of All Meet & Greet Tickets On Sale Now! Let’s kick it up a notch! http://wlsfa.org/2524/2012-mother-of-all-meet-greets-is-on-sale-now-lets-kick-it-up-a-notch/ http://wlsfa.org/2524/2012-mother-of-all-meet-greets-is-on-sale-now-lets-kick-it-up-a-notch/#comments Sun, 16 Oct 2011 09:56:26 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=2524


    The first 200 attendees to reserve their room at BALLY’S
    and purchase event ticket(s) will be entered to win VIP PACKAGE!

    BALLY’S Hotel and Casino ~ On the Strip!
    When: May 18,19,20 2012
    Who: WLS Peeps from around the globe!

    Join us for the largest gathering of WLS Peeps ever assembled!

    The first 200 attendees to reserve their room at BALLY’S and purchase
    event ticket(s) will be entered to win VIP PACKAGE!
    The Mother of All Meet & Greets is an Educational and Fundraising Event. All Proceeds are used to
    fund our Grants Program. The WLSFA is the only Nonprofit Organization Granting Weight Loss and
    Reconstructive Surgery to people who have been denied access.
    To learn more about our charitable mission Click Here     		DISCOUNTED BALLY’S ROOM RATES:
    $99.00 a night For the first 250 registered guests.

    Mother of all Meet & Greet TICKET PRICES:

    Special Discount If you book your room at BALLY’s!

    Early Bird Ticket Pricing: $80 per person
    Good until 12/31/2011

    From 1/1/2012 on: $110 per person
    Good until SOLD OUT!

    EVENT ONLY TICKETS (If you are NOT staying at BALLY’s and NOT a *local resident) $170.00 per person

    * Local Las Vegas Residence and their Guests Qualify for Discounted Event Ticket Prices.
    AGENDA coming soon! EXHIBITOR INFORMATION coming soon!
    SPONSORS coming soon! SPEAKER DETAILS coming soon!

    ]]>     http://wlsfa.org/2524/2012-mother-of-all-meet-greets-is-on-sale-now-lets-kick-it-up-a-notch/feed/ 22     Banded Living is Supporting the WLSFA! http://wlsfa.org/2999/banded-living-is-supporting-the-wlsfa/ http://wlsfa.org/2999/banded-living-is-supporting-the-wlsfa/#comments Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:33:54 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=2999 Support WLSFA — While You Learn!!

    Learn the Lessons of Successful Lap Band Patients and Support the WLSFA! Are you a lap band patient who would like to learn how to get the most from your tool?
    Are you thinking about lap band surgery and wondering what it really takes to be successful? Sandi Henderson and Gloria Samuels are two highly successful lap band patients with over twelve years experience using their lap bands to reach and maintain their normal healthy weights. If there’s anyone who can teach you how to use the lap band to achieve lasting weight loss, it’s Sandi and Gloria. You will learn why they call the lap band a tool and exactly how to use this tool to achieve your goals. Learn exactly how the lap band works, and how you need to use it to achieve YOUR goals by listening to our 4 part audio series. This audio series is packed with critical information and step by step instructions on how to use your lap band to achieve lasting weight loss. Each lesson is 30-50 minutes long and can be listened to in the comfort of your own home and referred to over and over again.
    Here’s what you’ll learn:
    • The 10 critical lessons of Sandi’s and Gloria’s lap band success
    • What the lap band is and HOW it works
    • Why these lessons are so important and how you need to use this tool
    • Practical tips that you can begin applying right away
    • What unique challenges you may face on your journey to lasting weight loss
    • How to set realistic goals in terms of health, weight loss and quality of life

    Here’s the most exciting part:
    When you order through the WLSFA Sandi and Gloria are donating 50% of your sale directly to WLSFA.
    Click here for more information including the 100% money back guarantee :
    WLSFA/Banded Living Audio Series Offer

    CLICK HERE To Learn more about the offer!

    ]]>     http://wlsfa.org/2999/banded-living-is-supporting-the-wlsfa/feed/ 0     Mr. JJ Vidro is the recipient of the WLSFA’s Third Weight Loss Surgery Grant and first emergency grant! http://wlsfa.org/2994/mr-jj-vidro-is-the-recipient-of-the-wlsfas-third-weight-loss-surgery-grant-and-first-emergency-grant/ http://wlsfa.org/2994/mr-jj-vidro-is-the-recipient-of-the-wlsfas-third-weight-loss-surgery-grant-and-first-emergency-grant/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:23:37 +0000 Antonia http://wlsfa.org/?p=2994 Inaugural Emergency Grant

    GRANT FUNDED Surgery Date: October 17 2011

    JJ Vidro, A 24 year old Nursing student from Ocala Florida was 5 month into his 6 month Bariatric program. Just weeks before his surgery JJ was informed by the hospital that he needed to pay his co pay in full before surgery or it would be cancelled and he would have to start at square one and go though another six month program. As a student, JJ did not have the resources to fund the co pay. He was heart broken but prayed for a miracle! Maria Fitspatrick became aware of JJ’s story and brought Mr. Vidro to the WLSFA’s attention. After some Executive level meeting the WLSFA Emergency Grant progam was created and we were able to fund a small grant to cover JJ’s Co Pay. His surgery is in just a few days!

    In JJ’s own words:
    “I’m 24 yrs old, and currently residing in sunny Ocala, FL. On September 26, 2011, I will be undergoing the Gastric Bypass Roux-ny surgery with Dr. Muhammad Jawad at the Ocala Regional Medical Center. This life-changing opportunity will only happen because of the WLSFA granting me the emergency funds to cover the cost of the co-pay, which I wasn’t able to afford. I am thankful for the WLSFA, and all of the board members, for making this dream become a reality. I struggled with obesity almost all my life and tried almost every diet & weight-loss pill, to only go consistently up and down in my weight. Therefore, I chose to pursue WLS because it’s been successful for many people struggling with obesity.” – JJ Vidro

    What is the purpose of the Emergency Grant Fund

    Since April of 2010 the WLSFA has learned a lot about the needs of people seeking financial assistance to have weight loss surgery and reconstructive plastic surgery after WLS. Many people need our full assistance, a grant that covers all expenses. Those people are addressed by our Grant Referral Program. There are others however who’s needs are not as large, they might need funds to cover a deductible, A Co Pay, a month of CORBA after loosing a job or funds to pay for minor items not covered by their insurance policy like a blood test or visit with a nutritionist. The WLSFA has created a fund that is for request’s of $1,000 or less that are time sensitive. People with an emergency need like these can contact the WLSFA and we will send them our Emergency Grant Forms. Because we rely on donations the emergency fund may not always be available but based on our hard work we will fund as many of these small grants as possible.

    How can you help the WLSFA keep the emergency grant fund ready?

    If you are a Weight Loss Surgery person or some one who supports them you can:

    • Become a member of this web site and receive the latest information from the WLSFA
    • Volunteer you time , knowledge or both by filling out our volunteer survey
    • Donate money directly to the cause

    If you are a Bariatric or Plastic Surgeon or other WLS health care professional you can:

    • Donate Services or Money to the WLSFA
    • Please contact the WLSFA and we will send you details about our donation levels and what they offer.
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