Another Rare Disease Day is done

Usually I post quite a few items related to Rare Disease Day, held on the last day of February.

I obviously didn't this year.  It wasn't for lack of wanting, it was for lack of knowing what to write.

One year I focused on those with Niemann-Pick Disease.  Another year, I focused on a bunch of rare diseases.  I've even included a list of some of the rare disease statistics.  Some of these articles are still some of my most popular.

Other than losing quite a few of the people I featured, not much has changed in the rare disease world.  I've been blogging for about 6 years, and not much has changed. Yes, there are now some treatments and some clinical trials for some of these rare diseases.  Yes, awareness has increased.

Rare Disease isn't just an awareness campaign once a year - it is a daily struggle for so many.  And so many are dealing with ultra rare conditions, they don't have a name yet.

The 2018 theme was Show Your Rare, Show You Care.  We all need to be a bit more caring to others, no matter if they have a rate disease or not.

The end of October

The end of October Awareness Month is here.  That doesn't mean that I stop talking about Niemann-Pick Disease or my experience or asking for financial support for the families being helped by the NNPDF like we were.  Here are the final quick facts for this year:

October Awareness continues

If you have followed this blog enough, you know that October has a push for Niemann-Pick Disease Awareness.

If you are new, you can read the detailed story as to why this is so important to me.

For the short version, grab a tissue.  My son was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Type C at age 4 1/2.  He died from disease complications before he turned 5.

Well before I knew this rare disease existed, and well before we were personally affected, October was designated as Niemann-Pick Disease Awareness Month.  We have an uphill battle each year, against some other more well known diseases. 

But the underdog has continued to rise - with your help.  By sharing my blog posts, sharing from the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation Facebook page, and donating, the disease is being identified earlier and treatments are becoming available.

So thank you.  If you are an affected family, please reach out to me.  I am happy to listen, talk, share my experience, and help you find resources to support you.

October Awareness - Vision of Hope

The National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation has been around for 25 years, providing support to families and funding promising research.

In recognition of that, the Vision of Hope Campaign is encouraging donations of $25 in recognition of the 25 years.

In addition, I am giving 25% of all Jamberry sales during October to the NNPDF.

And I can't forget about the information squares for this week:

October Awareness has begun

Every October I post information about Niemann-Pick Disease.  October is the month selected to share Awareness.  Yes, we are in an uphill battle against some other awareness months.  But we persevere.

This month, I am donating 25% of all sales from my Jamberry business to the NNPDF.  In addition, my entire commission is donated for my Niemann-Pick nail wrap and a coordinating lacquer, So Presh.  Go check them out.

Here are the first 5 facts for October. Share them from new new NNPDF Facebook page

It's never easy....

I know I vowed to write more. Living with a preschooler, working, and spending time with family have a way of making the time fly.

Until recently.  The first few weeks of April have been hard.  Really hard.

5 children, 1 week

Life is difficult, seeing this cluster reminded me of how difficult life can be and know much we need to just live it.

Five families need to move forward without someone.  It's times like these I am happy to be a part of the Niemann-Pick community. We all "get it" and many of us have been where these families now are.

So I ask all of you to please hold these families in your thoughts, as they will need support to get through some of the hardest days they will ever know. 

It's October - Post 4

Did you think I would forget about Niemann-Pick Disease Awareness Month? Absolutely not!  This disease has had an impact on my life in many ways.

So here are 5 Quick Facts.  Feel free to share this blog post and increase awareness.  If you are able, financial contributions are always welcome at http://nnpdf.org

It's October - Post 3

Did you think I would forget about Niemann-Pick Disease Awareness Month? Absolutely not!  This disease has had an impact on my life in many ways.

So here are 5 Quick Facts.  Feel free to share this blog post and increase awareness.  If you are able, financial contributions are always welcome at http://nnpdf.org

It's October - Post 2

Did you think I would forget about Niemann-Pick Disease Awareness Month? Absolutely not!  This disease has had an impact on my life in many ways.

So here are 5 Quick Facts.  Feel free to share this blog post and increase awareness.  If you are able, financial contributions are always welcome at http://nnpdf.org

It's October

Ok, so we are over 10 days into the month.  Did you think I would forget about Niemann-Pick Disease Awareness Month? Absolutely not!  This disease has had an impact on my life in many ways.

So here are 5 Quick Facts.  Feel free to share this blog post and increase awareness.  If you are able, financial contributions are always welcome at http://nnpdf.org

Another year

We just returned from the most recent NNPDF Family Support and Medical Conference.  This year we were in Danvers, MA.

Every year I meet new people, see old friends ("family") and we all feel safe.  It's a place to learn from the research, learn from each other, and not be afraid to share your thoughts and feelings.

Among all the sadness, with the memorial service and seeing kids you saw walking 4 years ago now in wheelchairs, there is always fun.  We celebrate life, we celebrate each other, we celebrate milestones.

Rare Disease Month

February is Rare Disease Month.

Here are some current statistics:

• There are approximately 7,000 different types of rare diseases and disorders, with more being discovered each day
• 30 million people in the United States are living with rare diseases. This equates to 1 in 10 Americans or 10% of the U.S. population
• Similar to the United States, Europe has approximately 30 million people living with rare diseases. It is estimated that 350 million people worldwide suffer from rare diseases
• If all of the people with rare diseases lived in one country, it would be the world’s 3rd most populous country
• 80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin, and thus are present throughout a person’s life, even if symptoms do not immediately appear
• Approximately 50% of the people affected by rare diseases are children
• 30% of children with rare disease will not live to see their 5th birthday
• 95% of rare diseases have not one single FDA/EMA approved drug treatment
• Approximately 50% of rare diseases do not have a disease specific foundation supporting or researching their rare disease.
• Rare disease is often referred to as an “orphan” disease
• Orphan or rare diseases are often not pursued by the pharmaceutical industry because they provide little financial incentive for the private sector to make and market new medications to treat or prevent them and because there are not enough patients to make research cost-effective
• It can take several years to diagnose a rare disease
• Rare Disease Day is on Leap Day. Fitting for rare diseases, the national awareness day is on February 29, a date that’s only on the calendar every four years. (It’s moved to February 28 on non-leap years.)

It's also nearing the end of this year's ESPN Infinity Coach's Challenge. Each year coaches select a non profit organization to raise funds for.  Matt Painter from Purdue University has completed for The Smith Family BReaK Thru Fund, a charity created to help fund research into Niemann Pick Disease to support their 3 children with the disease. It is easy to vote, and you can vote every day. There is no spam, no extra e-mails, and it's FREE!   Please take a few minutes each day for the next few weeks and vote at www.votemattpainter.com