Hey everyone we have another favor to ask (yes, they will continue until Maya is cured!) Well, this one was particularly near and dear to us so we couldn't help but get involved. Charlie and I have committed to raising $5,000 by the end of November to support funding for the stem cell treatment program, which could go to clinical trial as early as January 2010. What does this mean exactly? We are talking about a possible CURE here people! Yes, we are SO close. But they need funding. Dr. Keirstead's group at California Stem Cell (CSC) is getting ready to meet with the FDA to get approval for a human clinical trial for SMA. He is also the same doctor who got approval from the FDA to do stem cell treatment for spinal cord injuries. 20 families, including Charlie and I, have united to raise $5,000 each by the end of November. SMA has been designated as the neurological disease, out of 600, closest to a treatment/cure. This could help other diseases too!
We know times are tough for everyone, but every little bit counts. We plan on getting involved with other fundraising activities over the next three months, but until then, please spread the word! All donations are tax deductible :-)
I hate saying "Help Save Maya", but honestly that is what this stem cell treatment program could do. So far it has been successful with mice and we've seen the videos. If it works in humans, it could prolong Maya's life and/or enable her to walk one day! This is what we have been praying for!
If you would like to make a donation in Maya's name (and read more about the cause and the 20 Uniters), you can click on this link: http://UniteForTheCure.com/Donate/ It explains all the directions for donating by credit card or check. To make a donation by credit card you will go to this page and then click on the green donate button, which will then take you to the Families of SMA donation page specifically set up for Unite For The Cure. Please remember to write "Pringle Family" in the "Message" section, so that we can keep track of our goal. For checks, please make checks payable to “Families of SMA” and be sure to write “Unite For The Cure/Pringle” in the MEMO on the check, so that this donation goes specifically to the Unite For The Cure campaign and to our overall goal. You can mail checks to the address below. Cash is okay, too, but please don't mail that!
Unite For The Cure
c/o Gwendolyn Strong Foundation
27 W. Anapamu Street, #177
Santa Barbara, California 93101
We can't thank everyone enough for all the love, support and prayers. Maya is everything to us and we want to do all we can to help her.
PLEASE FORWARD the link to everyone you know! There is a short bio of Charlie, Maya and I on the website.
The funnies
11 years ago
3 comments:
Hi guys! Wanted to introduce myself--my name is Devon and my son Dakin has SMARD, in the SMA family. We are also in Texas--where are you guys? We're in Longview, near the LA border.
Anyway, just wanted to say hi!
Hi Sapna! Unfortunately, all of our docs are in Dallas, so we never get down in the Houston area...boo! We'd love to meet you guys if we ever get the chance, though!!
I found your blog via Unite for the Cure which we are participating in, too. Maya is so cute! Is he a type 2 or type 3? She sits up so well! our son, Nicholas is a type 2. He can sit up, but not for very long. I'm so happy we can raise money together to help close the funding gap and get that much closer to a cure for our kids!
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