Event and Press Information

EVENT AND PRESS INFORMATION

Life As A Zebra Foundation

Why Life as a Zebra? In medical school, students are taught to diagnose patients based on the condition that’s most likely. This idea goes along with the saying: “When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.” The horses are the likely explanation, while the zebras are less likely. A medical zebra, then, is a person with a rare medical condition.

Life as a Zebra Foundation’s Mission The Life as a Zebra Foundation educates, advocates, and secures funds and charitable contributions for the prevention, treatment, and research of various hard to diagnose invisible illnesses including, but not limited to, Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome, dysautonomia, and vasculitis.

What We Do  Secure funds for education, prevention, treatment, and research of various invisible illnesses including, but not limited to, Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome, dysautonomia, and vasculitis.  Build a community of people who care about eradicating various chronic, invisible illnesses.  Inspire and advocate for people who live with chronic, invisible illnesses by sharing personal stories about living with chronic illnesses through print and public speaking engagements.

Accomplishments Life as a Zebra Foundation became a domestic, nonprofit foundation on November 8, 2012. The Life as a Zebra Foundation as raised nearly $70,000 for invisible illness awareness, education, and research in the three years since its establishment. The Life as a Zebra Foundation spearheaded the adoption of a resolution for Invisible Illness Awareness Week in the state of Michigan, held May 25-31, 2014. In June of 2014, members of the Life as a Zebra Foundation board traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with various federal congressmen and senators in order to advocate for a National Invisible Illness Awareness Day of Action. Katie Dama Jaskolski of Life as a Zebra has been nominated multiple times for various health activist awards through WEGO Health including Best Blog, Health Activist Hero, and the Trailblazer Award.

Life As A Zebra Foundation

ONE SHEET

Event: The 4th Annual Benefit Concert: Noah Guthrie as seen on “Glee,” and Chris Trapper from the Push Stars, to Benefit Invisible Illness Awareness and Research

Headliners: Noah Guthrie, Described as having a Pop/Americana sound with soul, the 20 year old co-wrote the majority of his thirteen originals, along with his first single, Call Home. He may have been called the male version of Adele or a mix of John Legend and Dave Matthews in the past, but as his social media username shows, there is Only 1 Noah. He has been featured on NBC's Today Show, Jay Leno's Tonight Show, Dancing With The Stars, and several U.S. and European Radio Stations, and covers of his version have been featured on the US version of The Voice and The X Factor, and will appear in the upcoming season of Glee. Chris Trapper, of the band The Push Stars, is a Boston-based singer-songwriter, most known for his #1 selling song This Time, from the Grammy nominated soundtrack for August Rush.

Date: Saturday, April 11th, 2015; 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Venue: Kellogg Center: Lincoln Room & Kellogg Center Auditorium

Description: This night of music and inspiration is presented by the Life as a Zebra Foundation, which is dedicated to helping those who are battling invisible illnesses.

Benefiting Charities: The proceeds that are raised at this year’s benefit will support Life as a Zebra Foundation’s projects and initiatives to educate, provide awareness, and support research for various invisible illnesses. Significant funding will be dedicated to groundbreaking POTS research led by world-renowned physician, Dr. Blair Grubb, through a partnership between Life as a Zebra Foundation and the University of Toledo Medical Center.

Ticketing: Gala and concert early bird discount $40 until March 11, 2015. $50 at the door. New this year: $25 concert only tickets. Tickets go on sale February 1, 2015. Available online at www.ZebraNation.org (AMEX, MC, Discover, Visa accepted); or at the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, located at 500 East Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI. (Cash only please)

Event capacity: 250, all ages welcome

Timeline of Events: 6:00 Doors Open to the Annual Gala and Silent Auction 6:30 Welcome from Hosts Allie Dama and Katie Dama Jaskolski –Cocktails, appetizers, silent auction 7:30-7:45 Silent Auction Closes and Transition to Auditorium 8:15 Chris Trapper Performs 9:30 Intermission 9:45 Noah Guthrie Performs 11:00 Meet and Greet with Noah Guthrie & Chris Trapper

Organizers and Contact Info: Katie Dama Jaskolski, Host [email protected], Cell: 517-256-1088 Jan Pfeiffer, Event Coordinator, [email protected], Office and Cell: 517-377-1410 Jill Morell, Silent Auction Coordinator, [email protected], Cell: 616-610-4372

Advertising: Flyers will be distributed in the Lansing and East Lansing area prior to the event. Social media, including a Facebook event page with information about the show, charity, venue, artists, sponsors, news coverage in the Lansing and East Lansing area newspapers, radio stations and billboards.

PRESS RELEASE

Life As A Zebra Foundation

For Immediate Release – January 12, 2015

4th ANNUAL BENEFIT CONCERT FOR INVISIBLE ILLNESS WILL FEATURE NOAH GUTHRIE FROM GLEE AND CHRIS TRAPPER FROM THE PUSH STARS

LANSING, MI – Life As A Zebra Foundation is proud to announce that the 4th Annual Benefit Concert will take place Saturday, April 11th from 6pm-11pm at the Kellogg Center in Lansing, Michigan and will feature musical acts Noah Guthrie from Glee and Chris Trapper from The Push Stars.

The evening will include a gala with cocktails, appetizers and a silent auction. The gala will be immediately followed by the concert.

Gala and concert early bird discount tickets are $40 until March 11, 2015; $50 at the door; and, new this year, $25 concert-only tickets will be available.

Tickets go on sale February 1, 2015 online at www.ZebraNation.org or at the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Proceeds that are raised at this year’s benefit will support Life as a Zebra Foundation’s projects and initiatives to educate, provide awareness, and support research for various invisible illnesses. Significant funding will be dedicated to groundbreaking POTS research led by world-renowned physician, Dr. Blair Grubb, through a partnership between Life as a Zebra Foundation and the University of Toledo Medical Center.

“The annual benefit concert is the cornerstone of our fundraising and awareness efforts,” said Katie Dama Jaskolski, President and Co-Founder of the Life as a Zebra Foundation. “The foundation started out of the first benefit concert four years ago, and has far surpassed our expectations as far as the outpouring of support from the general public when it comes to these conditions. We have realized that everyone knows someone when it comes to invisible illnesses.”

96% of people with chronic medical conditions live with a condition that is invisible. Invisible illnesses are chronic conditions that are not easily observed by the general public, and are often not readily seen by medical professionals. Invisible illnesses include lupus, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, Crohn’s disease, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, among others.

More about the acts: Noah Guthrie is described as having a Pop/Americana sound with soul, the 20 year old co-wrote the majority of his thirteen originals, along with his first single, Call Home. He has been featured on NBC's Today Show, Jay Leno's Tonight Show, Dancing With The Stars, and several U.S. and European Radio Stations, and covers of his version have been featured on the US version of The Voice and The X Factor, and will appear in the upcoming season of Glee. Chris Trapper is a Boston-based singer-songwriter, front man of The Push Stars, and most known for his #1 selling song This Time, from the Grammy nominated soundtrack for August Rush.

About Life as a Zebra Foundation The Life as a Zebra Foundation was founded by two sisters, Katie Dama Jaskolski and Allie Dama, who each lived with debilitating symptoms while searching for correct medical diagnoses. Dama Jaskolski has been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Dama was diagnosed with polyarteritis nodosa vasculitis.

The Life as a Zebra Foundation educates, advocates, and secures funds and charitable contributions for the prevention, treatment, and research of various hard to diagnose invisible illnesses. For more information, please,contact Katie Dama Jaskolski at 517-256-1088 or [email protected] and visit our website at www.ZebraNation.org. ###

Life As A Zebra Foundation

For Immediate Release - March 20, 2015

THE LIFE AS A ZEBRA FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO MEDICAL CENTER ON GROUNDBREAKING POTS RESEARCH

Lansing, MI – The Life as a Zebra Foundation (LAAZF) is pleased to partner with The University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) to support Dr. Blair Grubb’s groundbreaking Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) research.

Dr. Grubb is a world-recognized expert in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia and POTS, a debilitating disease that causes dizziness, sudden fainting, and an inability to carry on the basic functions of daily life. In 2015 and for many years in a row, Dr. Grubb has been named one of America’s Top Doctors by Castle Connolly. POTS patients from around the country and the world seek out Dr. Grubb’s care at UTMC, where they are treated with his trademark kindness, thoroughness, and compassion.

Dr. Grubb is a leader in the discovery and use of new approaches for the treatment of POTS. Recently, Dr. Grubb and his colleagues at UTMC have embarked on a new research project that holds great promise for unlocking the underlying cause of POTS.

Dr. Grubb and associates from UTMC are coming to LAAZF’s 4th Annual Benefit Concert for Invisible Illness Awareness & Research on April 11, 2015 to briefly speak on his team’s innovative POTS research. UTMC is a banner sponsor for the event.

At the gala, LAAZF will present Dr. Grubb with funding for his continued research.

Dr. Christopher J. Cooper, Dean of the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences said, “We are so pleased that the Life as a Zebra Foundation has dedicated its 2015 benefit concert to support Blair Grubb’s innovative POTS research program. Dr. Grubb is an exemplary physician-scientist who is totally dedicated the bringing the highest level of care all of his patients.”

“Life as a Zebra Foundation is incredibly honored and excited to partner with UTMC to support Dr. Grubb’s ground breaking research on POTS for this year’s benefit concert,” said Katie Dama Jaskolski, Co-founder of LAAZF. “This research project has the potential to improve the lives of so many who suffer from the often debilitating and life- altering disease. It is a dream come true to have the chance to work with Dr. Grubb in order to make a difference in the lives of so many.”

The Life as a Zebra Foundation educates, advocates, and secures funds and charitable contributions for the prevention, treatment, and research of various hard to diagnose invisible illnesses. For more information, please contact Katie Dama Jaskolski at 517-256-1088 or [email protected] and visit www.ZebraNation.org.

About The University of Toledo Medical Center The Mission of the University of Toledo and the University of Toledo Medical Center is to improve the human condition.

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Life As A Zebra Foundation

HOSTS: KATIE DAMA JASKOLSKI AND ALLIE DAMA

Katie Dama Jaskolski Katie Dama Jaskolski is 33 years old and currently works as a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teacher in Lansing, Michigan. She is the co-founder and president of the Life as a Zebra Foundation. Katie is a former competitive gymnast, spending 15 years at Great Lakes Gymnastics Club in Lansing, Michigan and Twistars Gymnastics Club in Dimondale, Michigan. Katie was on the Michigan State University Gymnastics team her freshman year as an Academic All-American, but had to retire from the sport after having multiple arm and hand reconstruction surgeries. Katie graduated from MSU in 2004 with a BA in Elementary Education, and she graduated from the College of St. Catherine with an MA in Curriculum with an Early Childhood Montessori credential. Katie has a passion for teaching and advocating for others. Her hobbies include writing, exercising, dancing, and spending time with friends and family.

After becoming suddenly sick in 2010, and spending months seeing multiple doctors, Katie was eventually diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Dysautonomia (POTS). Katie spent most of 2010 and 2011 very ill and unable to work, in a neck brace, back brace, and wheelchair. After going through intensive rehabilitation and other treatment, Katie has been able to return to work half-time, and has accomplished many physical goals such as completing 5Ks and Olympic style weight lifting. Katie has made it her mission to help raise awareness for these hard to diagnose, rare, and often overlooked diseases. One way Katie does this is through her website, Life as a Zebra, at www.lifeasazebra.com. In 2012, Life as a Zebra was nominated multiple times for various health activist awards through the online organization, WEGO Health, including Best Blog, Health Activist Hero, and the Trailblazer Award. Katie was a finalist for the WEGO health award, “Health Activist Hero.” Each day Katie likes to remind herself: “Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.” ~Dyer

Allie Dama Allie Dama is 27 years old and currently works as a pediatric occupational therapist in Chicago, Illinois. Allie is also the co-founder and vice president of the Life as a Zebra Foundation. Allie is a former competitive gymnast, spending 15 years at Twistars’ Gymnastics Club in Dimondale, Michigan, and another four years as an NCAA Division I varsity gymnast at the University of Maryland.

Allie was the 2002 Junior Olympic National Champion and earned 2nd place on the uneven bars at the 2008 NCAA EAGL conference championships. Allie has represented the United States internationally in Europe, Asia, and Central America. Allie graduated from the University of Maryland in 2010 with a BS in Psychology, and she graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with an MS in occupational therapy in 2014. Her hobbies include cooking, exercising, dancing, and DIY projects.

In 2008, just months after completing her most successful collegiate gymnastics season to date, Allie grew mysteriously ill. Despite numerous medical appointments and tests, doctors were unable to pinpoint a diagnosis. It was only after 48 days of hospitalization, near fatal seizures, dozens of specialists, and a kidney biopsy that Allie was diagnosed with polyarteritis nodosa vasculitis (PAN). Since that time, Allie has had several more hospitalizations and years of corticosteroid and chemotherapy treatment. She was forced to retire early from gymnastics competition and had to take several months off of school to regain strength and basic functioning. Despite the long and difficult road, Allie’s PAN is now in remission and doctors are positive about her prognosis. These recent years of struggle have taught Allie to live each day to the fullest.

Life As A Zebra Foundation

HEADLINERS: NOAH GUTHRIE AND CHRIS TRAPPER

Noah Guthrie Bluesy-pop singer/songwriter, Noah Guthrie, has been taking the U.S. by storm in 2014 to promote his debut album, Among the Wildest Things. Often known for his unique covers on youtube, Noah is excited to give fans a taste of his own music. Described as having a Pop/Americana sound with soul, the 20 year old co-wrote the majority of his thirteen originals, along with his first single, Call Home. He may have been called the male version of Adele or a mix of John Legend and Dave Matthews in the past, but as his social media username shows, there is Only 1 Noah.

Born and raised in South Carolina, Noah grew up in a home filled with music. Always singing around the house, Noah credits his dad for teaching him to learn his true voice and hone his gift. When he was fourteen, Noah received his first guitar and started writing songs. As a practiced musician on the bass, guitar, and trumpet by the time he was 13, everyone around him knew early on that he had an innate gift, and after his first performance in front of people at age 13, he was already dubbed an ‘old soul’ and true talent. One of his earliest written songs (at 16) even made the album.

Noah has been steadily building a name for himself in the music business through his live performances and cover videos and currently has over 53 million views on youtube. In May of 2012, Noah experienced the explosion that comes from a viral video when his ultra unique and blues-filled version of LMFAO's "Sexy And I Know It" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsvlsuLau5c) earned him more than 8 million views in less than a week (now at over 21 million views.) As a result of the internet-mania, Noah was featured on NBC's Today Show, Jay Leno's Tonight Show, Dancing With The Stars, and several U.S. and European Radio Stations, and covers of his version have been featured on the US version of The Voice and The X Factor.

Throughout his young career, Noah has opened for a variety of artists as his powerful soulful voice and beautifully written songs appeal to a wide range of audiences. He has led off concerts for Ed Sheeran, Neon Trees, Ben Rector, Cobra Starship, Matisyahu, Matt Nathanson and Selena Gomez. While Noah’s live performances may be his favorite aspect of being a musician, over the course of the last year, while working on his album, Noah has grown immensely as an artist. He has worked with Matt Wertz, Gabe Dixon, Josiah Rosen (Augustana), Mher Filian (Selena Gomez), Matthew Perryman Jones, Isaac Hasson (Demi Lovato, Kris Allen, Hot Chelle Rae,) Amy Stroup and Ben Rector among others, and continues to collaborate, while simultaneously posting youtube covers.

Touring and writing new music are at the top of Noah's list for the coming year. He loves performing his music for live audiences and can't wait to see what's around the corner.

Website: www.only1noah.com EPK: http://youtu.be/XZjCW5ZIIMo

Life As A Zebra Foundation

Chris Trapper Chris Trapper began his career as the front man for late-90’s alternative rock band The Push Stars (Capitol Records). With four CD releases and several high profile national tours –– including a run with Matchbox Twenty – – The Push Stars served to establish Chris as an authentic talent. As a modern day singer–songwriter, Chris is most known for his song, “This Time,” the #1 selling song on the Grammy nominated soundtrack for August Rush (Robin Williams, Jonathan Rhys Meyers /Warner Bros Pictures).

The new CD (released October 18, 2013), Technicolor, is a collection of 17 songs written and performed by Chris Trapper. This new work was produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Brad Young at BKY Music, Boston, USA. Focus tracks include the title track “Technicolor” and “Northwest Sun” and “The Accident.”

Chris Trapper’s music can best be described as lyrically driven roots–pop with a knack for telling everyday stories filled with extraordinary characters. “Every record tells a story. For me, much more than gimmicks, my albums are like diary entries, or truthful accounts of where I’m at in life. I suppose that might be the same for most songwriters, but in the spectrum of the music business, it’s still an animal that’s nearly extinct.” ~Chris Trapper

“His humble sense of humility is what makes Trapper’s songs so strong… He makes you feel like you are the person he’s singing about.” ~Popdose. The New York Times calls his work “classic pop perfection.“

A prolific songwriter, Chris can boast high profile film placements including There’s Something About Mary (Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz), The Devil Wears Prada (Meryl Streep), Say It Isn’t So (Heather Graham), and Gun Shy (Sandra Bullock, Liam Neeson) as well as significant television placements including All My Children, Women’s Murder Club, Malcolm In The Middle, a coveted placement in George Clooney’s final episode of ER, the theme song for WB Networks dramedy Pepper Dennis and a cameo on-screen appearance with the show’s star, Rebecca Romjin.

A respected songwriter of the highest caliber, Chris has written 7 songs with/for Canadian band Great Big Sea, including their #1 single “Sea Of No Cares” from the certified-platinum Sea Of No Cares CD. Great Big Sea covered Trapper’s song “Everything Shines” and their version served as the debut single off their certified-gold Road Rage CD album. Chris’ songwriting collaborations with Great Big Sea earned him two prestigious SOCAN awards. Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty and Antigone Rising have performed other notable versions of Trapper’s songs.

Chris Trapper’s ability to craft songs that are both elegant and accessible is evident on each solo CD in his deep discography. There is a smart, honest quality to the lyrics that never panders. Trapper’s live show is a favorite among fans of alt–acoustic music. His onstage persona is warm and inclusive, his organic understanding of classic pop melody infectious. Audience members seem to particularly appreciate the lighthearted moments with the ukulele. They depart the venue at the end of the evening with the sense of having been truly entertained. “It’s an incredibly rare musician, particularly in the world of popular music, who is able to forge a career based on quiet dignity and steadfast integrity.” -The Buffalo News

To learn more about Chris Trapper, please visit: http://www.christrapper.com

Life As A Zebra Foundation

Contact Information:

Katie Dama Jaskolski‐ Host [email protected] Cell: (517) 256‐1088 www.ZebraNation.org

Allie Dama – Host [email protected] Cell: (517) 256‐9370

Jan Pfeiffer‐Event Coordinator [email protected] (517) 377‐1410

Jill Morell – Silent Auction Coordinator [email protected] (616) 610‐4372

Jennifer Dama – Communication Coordinator [email protected] Cell: (269) 271-0761

Life As A Zebra Foundation