Höjdpunkter från IFOPAs nyhe...

Här kommer lite positiv läsning från IFOPAs nyhetsbrev som jag fick i tisdags, använd gärna google translation länken till höger om du vill byta till Svenska. *)(* Marie

Första delen handlar om ett möte som våra forskare haft angående botemedel för FOP och det är häftigt att se att dom pratar om 1-3år respektive 3-5år.
Andra delen är om den 3e största enskilda donationen till IFOPA genom tiderna
Tredje delen är en tacklista till alla som stödjer och för olika event som familjer hållit under 2011.

IFOPA Support Families, Fund research, Find a Cure.

FOP Connection Newsletter
Dear Marie,
We often use the word milestone to describe an important event, but it also denotes a significant point in development, a moment when exceptional progress is achieved.  Hence, milestone seems a particularly appropriate way to portray the outcome of the informal two-day IFOPA-hosted workshop on Strategies for the Treatment of FOP held in mid-August in Philadelphia.

Strategies for the treatment of FOP (a scientific workshop)

Dr. Fred Kaplan, Co-Director of the FOP Research Lab stated that the focus of the event was “What is the biggest gap between what we know and what we need to know in order to achieve successful treatment and a cure for FOP?  How do we get there in the short term (1-3 years) and in the long term (3-5 years)?”.  Dr. Kaplan wrote that the 27 scientists attending created “a war room atmosphereas they sat face-to-face around a large conference table and sketched the outlines for a final assault on a long-term enemy – FOP itself”.  The ultimate product of the workshop was a list of treatment options prioritized for further basic research and preclinical development.  For a community that has waited more than 25 years for scientists to even contemplate treatment options, the workshop was clearly a milestone.

Beyond the tangible outcomes, one scientist spoke of “smelling the ozone in the room”, echoing Dr. Kaplan’s characterization of the think-tank atmosphere being “palpably exciting with a verve and tone unparalleled in the history of FOP research.” For a lay person such as myself these are heady words, especially from scientists who are customarily cautious when speaking about their work.  The inescapable conclusion is that there is now a much higher level of optimism about the prospect for FOP treatments and a cure than has existed previously.  Certainly, years of work remain to be done in the lab and at our family fundraisers where the critical life blood funding of the research is generated. But in the words of Ian Cali, we have gone “from hopeless to hopeful”.  There is the unmistakable smell of ozone in the atmosphere!

In closing, I’m pleased to note another milestone — the rebuilding of our IFOPA staff.  On behalf of the IFOPA board and our association members, I welcome Jane Millen as Executive Director, Victoria Mandracken as Communications and Membership Manager and Denise Vietti as Accountant.  Jane brings with her 25 years experience with the YMCA and similar organizations.  Victoria provides an impressive range of communication and media skills for our organization.  Victoria was most recently involved in public relations and communications for the non-profit Rebuilding Together Orlando.  Denise has worked for several organizations in the Orlando, Tampa and Dallas areas. She has the MS degree in Accounting and Information Management and is currently preparing to sit for the CPA exam. The board is extremely pleased to have these talented professionals join our organization.  We wish them a very warm welcome.

Malcolm Munro Signature

Malcolm C. Munro, PhD
IFOPA Board Chairman

IFOPA Receives Major Gift in
Honor of FOP Member Margherita Russo
The IFOPA has received a gift valued at $104,100 from the estate of the late Kevin R. James of South Australia.

Margherita Russo

The gift is the third largest single gift ever received in the 23-year history of the IFOPA and was made in honor of FOP member Margherita Russo. Ms. Russo is a Senior Paralegal for the Webster Lawyers law firm in Adelaide, South Australia.

“The IFOPA is deeply grateful to Mr. James for his foresight and generosity in providing for this extraordinary gift,” said Mark Gambaiana, board member and fund development chair. “This estate provision provides a substantial boost to our FOP research efforts at
a critical moment in our quest for treatments and a cure.”

The estate gift is included in the Jeannie L. Peeper Heritage Roll of Honor, a legacy society established to recognize and honor those individuals and families who have included the IFOPA in their estate plans.

2011 Fundraising
The IFOPA would like to extend a special thank you to the many individuals who supported and were involved in the recent fundraising events. We appreciate the following fundraisers for their contributions:

• All American 5K: In Honor of Ashley Kurpiel
• Bingo for a Cure! in Honor of Joshua Scoble
• Charleston Marathon in Honor of Ashley Kurpiel
• Christmas Card Campaign in Honor of Yorick Blonk
• Coins for a Cure in Honor of Matthew Wadd
• Disney Princess Half Marathon in Honor of Wayne Gopshes
• Emily Collins Fundraiser at Nicholas School
• Erin’s Day in Honor of Erin Danzer
• Francis Marion Dirt Dash Half Marathon & 5K in Honor of Ashley Kurpiel
• “Friends of Oliver” in Honor of Oliver Bedford-Gay
• FOP Awareness Week at Woodstock Academy in Honor of Jasmin Ariel Floyd
• Golf for a Cure in Honor of Shane Terry
• Hand Crafted Jewelry Fundraiser in Honor of Severine Letartre
• Hat Days in Honor of Morgan Lawler
• Harford Chapter No. 83, Order of the Eastern Star in Honor of Nathaniel Padilla
• Hofstra University Students Create Fundraiser to Fight FOP in Honor of Laura Rossano
• IFOPA Bid to a Cure
• Jeans and Green Day: In Honor of Morgan Lawler
• Justin Time – Cure FOP in Honor of Justin Henke
• Keystone Candle Fundraiser in Honor of Joshua Scoble
• Kros Trivia Night in Honor of Lucas Whitmore
• “Leap for Lincoln” Winter Carnival in Honor of Lincoln Wheelock
• Lincoln’s Legacy in Honor of Lincoln Wheelock
• Luciana’s Walk in Honor of Luciana Wulkan
• Racing for a Cure in Honor of Joshua Scoble
• Ride for Joshua’s Future of Promises in Honor of Joshua Scoble
• Ring Toss & Hat Booth, JNES Spring Carnival in Honor of Dilyn Martin
• Scandinavian FOP Association Collection Project to Fund FOP Research
• Spaghetti Dinner & Auction in Honor of Morgan Lawler
• Strike Out FOP in Honor of Lucas Whitmore
• Tav-on-the Ave: In Honor of Lincoln Wheelock
• Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork in Honor of Damian Fredericks
• Tenth Annual Comedy Show in Memory of BJ Giannone
• Trike-4-Lincoln: In Honor of Lincoln Wheelock
• Unmasking the Mystery of FOP II in Honor of Cody Dennings
• Valentine Card Fundraiser
• 3rd Annual Morgan’s Ride in Honor of Morgan Lawler
• 5th Annual FOP Garage Sale & BBQ in Honor of Dilyn Martin