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Progeria Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction


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February 12, 2010

In 2007, my nephew, Zach Pickard was diagnosed with Progeria, a rare, fatal genetic condition characterized by an appearance of accelerated aging in children caused by a mutation in the gene called LMNA. Progeria signs include growth failure, loss of body fat and hair, aged-looking skin, stiffness of joints, hip dislocation, generalized atherosclerosis, heart disease and stroke. Children with Progeria die of atherosclerosis (heart disease) at an average age of thirteen years.

Naturally my family was devastated when we learned about Zach's condition. Our only hope is that we can help the Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) find a possible cure for this disease. Currently Zach is enrolled in PRF's triple drug trial consisting of 45 children from 19 different countries and three drugs aimed at focusing on different parts of the disease. Finding a cure for Progeria could mean finding a cure for heart disease, the number one killer in the world. Last year, PRF asked us to open our own Kentucky PRF Chapter because of our extensive fundraising efforts. Because Progeria is so rare it's truly up to the individual families of the children afflicted with the disease to raise enough money to perform the drug trials and Progeria research.

Zach has been featured in the State-Journal, Herald Leader, on LEX 18 News, Wave 3 News and WLKY Louisville. He has also appeared on TLC's special 6 Going on 60 and our family with the help of local communities has risen over $100,000 in the past two years and all this stemmed from a touching article in the State Journal and a Pancake Breakfast/Silent Auction at Applebee's of Frankfort.

I am hoping that you can help us in our continued effort to find a cure for Progeria by attending our second Frankfort Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction on March 6th at Applebee's from 8-10 am. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. If you would like to donate an item, contact me by email and I will be happy to pick it from your business or if you prefer to give monetary funds they can be mailed to the address below. Thank you for your help in finding a possible cure for Zach and the others living with Progeria.

Kristin Pickard
kris10pickard@gmail.com
101 Calvert Ln.
Frankfort KY 40601






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 7 Total Comments
7.
    Posted by Joshua Owens March 1, 2010
Kristin-

I am not going to be able to make it due to a class I have. I will tell everyone about it though!@

6.
    Posted by damama1046 February 27, 2010
I will make time to be there. My daughter, Kara is driving in for this important event.
su sheridan

5.
    Posted by Joshua Owens February 24, 2010
Kristin-

I'm going to try and make it. I have Saturday classes in the morning right now. If they end by then, I'll be there!

4.
    Posted by yiya0424 February 20, 2010
I'll be there. He's a cause worth fighting for. Plus he's such a handsome young man, who could refuse.

3.
    Posted by tickledpink February 14, 2010
Now this is something worth donating to.

2.
    Posted by Tamed-Shrew February 13, 2010
Good grief that kid is cute - hoping for the Best!

1.
    Posted by ema February 13, 2010
Good luck and God bless you and Zach.