Please be advised, Sunshine Foundation
is a
non-medical charitable organization.
We are
unable to provide any medical information, refer
resources or individuals, and assist with any
medical related inquiries.
Thank you for your interest in Sunshine
Foundation's Annual Progeria Reunion!
Sunshine
Foundation holds an annual Progeria Reunion for
children 3 years of age or older afflicted with
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS).
The invitation is
extended to the child with Progeria
and one parent or guardian.
In order for us to determine if an invitation may
be extended, we would require the following
information for a child who
has not
previously attended a Reunion by 12/01/08:
- Copy
of child's birth certificate
- Physician's certification letter confirming
diagnosis of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria
Syndrome (HGPS),
determined through the results of Lamin-A DNA
Testing. Letter must also state child is
permitted to travel by air plane.
- Travel restrictions (wheelchair and oxygen
requirements etc.)
- Current, clear photos of child
- Parents names, address, phone, email
Sunshine Foundation's
2009 Progeria Reunion
June 19 - June 24, 2009
Orlando, FL
Find out how to sponsor a
Progeria child.
** Sunshine Foundation's Annual Progeria Reunion
is a non-medical event for recreation only. This event is by invitation
only, and closed to non-participating individuals and groups.
**The sole purpose of Sunshine Foundation's
Annual Progeria Reunion is to bring children, who have this rare aging
disease, together for an enjoyable week with other children like
themselves.
**Photos of Progeria Reunion are property of the Sunshine Foundation and
may not be used by other parties.
History of
Sunshine Foundation's Annual Progeria Reunions
In
1981, the Sunshine Foundation had been in existence
for five years and had handled approximately 500 special
dreams of seriously ill, chronically ill, and physically
challenged children. It was brought to Sunshine's attention
via a newspaper article that a young boy in South
Africa,
named Fransie, had a dream to visit Pinocchio. The inspiration
for this dream came from this boy seeing himself in
a mirror. Because of his wooden appearance, he felt
in some way related to Pinocchio.
Having read the article, Sunshine embarked on making
yet another dream come true, unaware that this particular
endeavor would bring about the knowledge of a very rare
illness to the world. Fransie had his dream come true
in December 1981. The Sunshine Foundation flew Fransie
and his family to Disneyland where he saw Pinocchio.
During his visit to the United States, three other children,
also suffering from Progeria, met with him.
Sunshine began receiving
correspondence from other families whose children had
similar characteristics. That following June, 1982, Sunshine
sponsored the first gathering of all known children suffering
from Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria, a rare aging disease.
“…I call it a one-week utopia. They are the normal kids for this entire
week.”
-Courtney’s mother, Sue
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Fransie, 6 (middle) with
his mother father and brother
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 Be Sure
To Check Out...
A TIME TO LIVE: LESSONS FROM A BOY GROWING OLD
BEFORE HIS TIME
A wonderful article written about one of our
Progeria children, Seth,
by Seattle Post-Intelligencer Reporter Carol Smith.
Click
Here to read the article!
 
Seth meeting his new friends, Cinderella,
Princess Fiona and Shrek.
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Since Sunshine Foundation’s 1st Annual Progeria Reunion at which eight
Progeria children and their families gathered at Greenway Lodge in the
Pocono Mountains of PA, 91 Progeria children have encountered the
experience of visiting for a week with other children who look just like
them.
Sunshine is proud to be sponsoring Sunshine Foundation’s 27th Annual Progeria Reunion only through the generosity of the many donors and
all-volunteer chapters. |
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