Girl Power 2 Cure (http://www.girlpower2cure.org) has become my primary charity... in part because it was founded by one of my dear friends to combat the disease that afflicts her daughter (one of my NBC's), Rett Syndrome. At least that is how it started, but the more I learn, the less it becomes about supporting her, and the more it becomes about finding the cure to Rett's which is projected to unlock a whole host of genetic disorders. In 2007, researchers were able to successfully reverse the disease in mice, which (to me) means we have moved from maybe to some day. Besides, how can you not get behind a charity whose annual fundraiser is about dressing up silly for April Fool's Day.
What is Rett Syndrome?
* Rett Syndrome is the most physically disabling of the autism spectrum disorders.
* It strikes at random in early childhood, affecting little girls almost exclusively.
* Many girls live into adulthood, requiring total, 24-hour-a-day care.
* There is no treatment beyond supportive.
* First recognized only 25 years ago, the prevalence of Rett Syndrome
equals that of Cystic Fibrosis, Huntingtons and ALS but is vastly
underfunded in comparison to those disorders.