While For Grace celebrates September as Pain Awareness Month, we continue our series of stories that focuses on the intersection of chronic pain and social isolation. After a family health event, Dana Gambill's idyllic early life came to an abrupt end, ultimately sending her to the safety and isolation of her bedroom. In her adult years, after developing CRPS and substance abuse, she cut herself off from people again. It was her love of nature  and a Higher Power that convinced her to reconnect - and with that, came new realizations that have led to healing and hope.

It's been one of those years! As women in pain can relate, sometimes if it ain't one thing, it's another - and so it is here at For Grace as the health challenges keep rolling on. Starting with a  wicked flu-like virus that upended For Grace leadership in the spring, then first-time COVID in June, later evolving into Long-COVID, August has brought Founder Cynthia Toussaint the worst case of shingles (with its epic, unrelenting nerve pain) her doctors have ever seen. Our efforts have slowed, but the good work goes on. We at For Grace encourage women in pain to get informed about the shingles vaccine, and if it's right for you, get the shot posthaste. Stay well!

In a recent Pain News Network article, For Grace received a nice mention for our 22 year work to advance the care and treatment for women challenged by chronic pain. Written by PNN columnist Crystal Lindell, this article details new research that has  discovered women often receive less pain management therapy than their male counterparts. Lindell points out that this finding is no surprise at all as its been something well known within the women in pain community for years, citing For Grace's contribution among others. Thank you, Crystal, for penning this excellent piece!

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gary Erickson, one of For Grace's longest supporters and biggest champions. Serving as a Board Member since the 2000's, Gary was instrumental in the launching of For Grace's work while providing incalculable guidance and encouragement during the critical development years. Besides his efforts at For Grace, Gary was one of the giants in the Los Angeles-based nonprofit arena, best known for his unwavering leadership and successful capital campaigns at the United Way, the California Hospital Medical Center Foundation and Community Partners, among many others. We say good-bye to our friend, and pledge to carry on with the determination and ethical fortitude that Gary exemplified.