Longtime West Seattleites Eddie & Jill Vedder co-founded EB Research Partnership (EBRP) in 2010 along with a dedicated group of parents set out to save their children’s lives. Their community will be rallying around Team Vedder by plunging into the cold waters of the Puget Sound off Alki Beach on Sunday, April 21st at 10am as part of a national campaign to raise money to treat and cure Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), a family of painful and life-threatening rare genetic disorders that affect the body's largest organ: the skin.
The Vedder's serve as global fundraisers and ambassadors sharing the mission of curing and treating EB with the world. EBRP is now the largest global nonprofit funding research to discover treatments and cures for EB, and Jill serves as the Board’s chairperson. The organization has raised more than $60 million, funded 140 research projects, increased clinical trials from 2 to now more than 40, and helped lead to the first two ever FDA approved treatments for EB last year.
The Plunge for Elodie, is named after 7-year-old Elodie Kubik, who lives with a severe form of EB. The event began in 2018 in Wellesley, Massachusetts, organized by friends of Elodie's mother, and has now grown into an annual global fundraising and awareness-raising initiative.
This year, Team Vedder will be plunging Alki Beach with a local EB patient, Patterson, a young boy who, like Elodie, suffers from a severe form of EB. Patterson endures daily bandage changes that can be grueling and take time away from other activities. EB is challenging, as it affects so much more than just his skin. It is a constant battle, both physically and emotionally, as he navigates through pain, itch, inflammation, and wound care. But amidst the challenges, there is a powerful force that emerges- strength and resilience.
3 WAYS TO SUPPORT TEAM VEDDER:
Donate to Team Vedder: Hit the "Donate" button above to give! Every dollar helps fund critical research aimed at finding a cure for EB.
Fundraise in your community: When you click “Join Team” above you’ll be prompted to make your own Fundraising Page. From there you can encourage all of your loved ones to donate and take the plunge too. All of our efforts will be tallied up on the Team Vedder page! Let’s see who can get the most people to donate!! The top fundraisers will be entered to win one of our raffle prizes below!
Take the plunge with me on April 21st: This year I’ll be joining Patterson and his family at Alki Beach to take the plunge and I hope you can come! If not, you can still participate through a virtual plunge. Find a body of water, put ice cubes in the tub, jump in the snow or get creative! Just be sure to tag @ebresearch, @jill.vedder, and #PlungeforElodie so I can see your amazing plunge! See below for more information on our in-person plunge.
- WHERE: Alki Beach, Seattle, WA
- WHEN: Sunday, April 21st, 2024, 10AM
- HOW TO JOIN: There is a minimum donation required to join the Alki Plunge. Plungers aged 13 and up must donate at least $25 per person to plunge. Donations can be made online in advance or at check in on April 21st!
- KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: For all those taking the Plunge, please complete this waiver online prior to the event. Arrive ready to take the plunge with your plunge suit under the clothes you wear to the event. Don't forget to bring towels, a warm change of clothes, a plastic bag for wet clothing, and comfy shoes that are easy to slip on. Swim caps will be provided! Please note that lifeguards will not be present.