(Photo – LA Dysautonomia Network)
On Sunday, June 1st, 2025, Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network (LADN) will host its annual Unity in Community fundraiser and celebration in Pasadena, bringing together patients, caregivers, medical professionals, and supporters to spread awareness and raise funding to support Californians with dysautonomia.
By News Desk
Dysautonomia is an umbrella term that refers to disorders of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates automatic body processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, blood vessel dilation/constriction, etc. LADN provides a range of free services to its members including support groups, wellness workshops, patient education programs, community-building events, a peer support program, and a grant program to help low-income patients access medical care.
This year’s Unity in Community event comes at a pivotal time for LADN, which saw its membership more than double in 2024 and continues to grow daily. “In response to the growth of the LADN community, we are thrilled to have made huge increases in our monthly programming,” stated Emily Suñez, co-founder and Outreach Director of LADN. LADN has added monthly teen and caregiver support groups to its offerings, along with a monthly mindful movement class and a second monthly adult patient support group.
In addition to their regularly scheduled offerings, LADN staff also spent the first few months of 2025 supporting their members who were impacted by the LA wildfires. “Losing your home and essential medical supplies is devastating– especially when you’re already fighting a chronic, disabling condition,” Suñez added. The organization gave $8,500 in direct financial assistance to those with lost/damaged homes early this year, and they distributed air purifiers and essential supplies to members in the LA area in the immediate aftermath of the fires.
The money raised at the Unity in Community event goes toward sustaining and continuing to grow the many programs that LADN offers. LADN currently operates with just two staff members, both living with dysautonomia, and hopes to hire a third staff member if fundraising efforts are successful. “We are incredibly proud of what LADN has accomplished with a staff of two,” said Sally Krueger-Wyman, co-founder and Executive Director of LADN. “But we are at a turning point as an organization. To sustain the growth we’ve had and to continue to support this community, we urgently need the resources to expand our team and continue reaching as many dysautonomia patients as possible.” The organization currently has an opportunity to receive a $25,000 matching contribution from an anonymous donor. Donations can be made on their event page.
The LADN fundraiser is a celebration of hope, unity, and awareness as patients and supporters come together for this worthy cause. Pie ‘n Burger’s food truck will be selling lunch and generously donating 100% of sales to LADN. The event will feature family-friendly activities and entertainment including face painting, a magician, tarot reading, chair massages, and live music. There will also be a raffle and silent auction of a variety of items and experiences, with online bidding opening on May 18th and closing at the June 1st event.
At 1:00 pm, there will be a series of speeches from supporters including CA State Assemblymember John Harabedian, physical therapist and LADN board member Brianne Slusarenko, dysautonomia parent Brita Richardson, dysautonomia patient Judy Craig, LADN Executive Director Sally Krueger-Wyman, and LADN Outreach Director Emily Suñez. LADN ambassador & Matilda actress Mara Wilson will also be in attendance. Free tickets are available at this website.
Los Angeles Dysautonomia Network "Unity in Community" Celebration June 1, 2025 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Location RSVP to receive Pasadena event address
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