I plan on posting this to my FB and as many places as I can, I'm even going to print it out and post it around the college to spread the word my way. I didn't write this for me though i wrote it for all of us. We all have something in this, and anyone here is welcome to use it in any way they desire.
Folding for a Cure
I awaken early in the morning to check out my computer. Good, it's still going strong, video cards are a bit warm, must be getting warmer outside. I'm folding. What's folding? Well it's a cause, it's a way we can all help out, a single goal all computer owners can strive towards. Folding At Home. See, I fold for my friend, Ducky. He has a rare form of cancer who's proper name escapes my busy mind. He has died 6 times in a matter of 4 months but yet he fights on. He's been strong enough and well enough to get online a few times lately. My first time talking to him in over 5 months was just a few weeks ago and I nearly wept. See Shawn is only 26, married with three kids. The youngest born just 5 months ago. I fold for him. Folding is something we can all do. Most of us leave our computers idle, or go for long periods of disuse. But instead you could be looking for a cure. What are you folding? Proteins. What is protein folding? Proteins are biology's workhorses -- its "nanomachines." Before proteins can carry out these important functions, they assemble themselves, or "fold." The process of protein folding, while critical and fundamental to virtually all of biology, in many ways remains a mystery. So why should I fold? Protein folding is linked to diseases, such as Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease, and many Cancers.
Moreover, when proteins do not fold correctly (i.e. "misfold"), there can be serious consequences, including many well known diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Mad Cow (BSE), CJD, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease, and many Cancers and cancer-related syndromes. If you want to know more visit one of the following sites but start with:
http://folding.stanford.edu/ . Other sites to gain help and information are:
http://forums.evga.com/tt.aspx?forumid=69,
http://www.overclock.net/overclock-net-folding-home-team/ http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/chimp_challenge/2011/ There are many teams you can join as well where you can opt into challenges and competitions that sometimes offer prizes to contestants. Or you can fold for yourself. Here is a list of teams that you can browse through:
http://folding.stanford.edu/English/Stats. You can even find information on how to make your own team. You teams can consist of your Church group, your Book Club friends or even your co-workers, use your imagination. Your team can also just be you.
How much do I have to do? Not much, just what you want. Every tiny little bit helps. You can fold while you sleep, Fold while you clean the house or even fold while you fold laundry. You don't have to have a top of the line computer to fold either. You can fold on anything from a netbook, a Playstation 3 all the way to that uber leet SR-2 rig. No matter what you have, chances are you can fold. There is plenty of information on the web about folding and it's cause. You can even find out what folding has done. So, who are you folding for? What will drive you to fight for those who are fighting for their lives? Who do you know that has fought the good fight and has either won or lost? Fold for you, fold for a friend, but most important, Fold for a Cure!