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.

Check out For Grace's August Story of the Month as we continue our look at the crossroads of chronic pain and social isolation. Kai Ocean looked forward to serving her country and joined the Army to do just that. Unfortunately, early in her service, she found herself increasingly isolated due to an emotionally abusive marriage. This, along with battling anxiety from the rigors of military training, soon caused her body to express itself in the form of fibromyalgia. After extracting herself from this toxic relationship while re-engaging with healthy communities and a fulfilling career, Kai now experiences far less pain and enjoys the autonomy that brings her so much wellness.

For Grace's 2024 Resolution Proclaiming September as Pain Awareness Month and September 1st as Women In Pain Awareness Day in California is now in its legislative home stretch.  We have received word from Fernando Rameriz, staffer at Senator Maria Elena Durazo's office, that the bill has been confirmed - and will be moving full stream ahead once the legislature returns from summer recess. This will be For Grace's 22nd year in a row leading this effort to bring much needed awareness of the plight of people with chronic pain to lawmakers in the Golden State.  Go, go, GO!

Check out For Grace founder Cynthia Toussaint's latest column on Pain News Network!  One of the ways doctors and health experts sell women in pain short is underestimating how tough they are. Cynthia shares in this hard-hitting piece how she spent years bunkering from COVID due to her doctors saying it would be catastrophic if she ever contracted the virus. Now after catching it, and developing Long COVID, she questions what all the over-concern was about. Maybe these healthcare professionals need to learn a thing or two about the character of women in pain, give them the correct information - and trust they know what's in their own best interest.