How many pennies do you come across each year? This year P.A.N.D.O.R.A., Inc. (Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Organization for Research and Advocacy) and P.A.N.D.A., Inc. (Patient Alliance for Neurological Disorders Assistance) invite you to find out by participating in Pediatric Pennies.

The idea is simple. Find an old jar or box and name it Pediatric Pennies. Every time you get a penny, put it in your container. The project can be for the school year or calendar year. The campaign ends the week of May 12, 2006, which is Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders Awareness Day. (Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders includes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Gulf War Syndrome, among other illnesses.) At that time, roll the pennies (or take them to a place that will convert them to cash) and donate that amount to Pediatric Pennies at either the P.A.N.D.O.R.A. or P.A.N.D.A. addresses listed above. Both are 501(3)c organizations working together to find a treatment and cure for Pediatric Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Donations can be made by check or via our web sites at http://www.pandoranet.info or http:/www.Panda-clinic.com.

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. and P.A.N.D.A. will donate posters for school libraries, school classrooms and offices. The five schools that raise the most for this special project will receive a special letter of commendation. Please contact Rebecca Artman at pandoralobby@aol.com for more details.

We invite you, your friends, your coworkers, organizations and classmates to participate in this project. Everyone can be involved in raising awareness of Pediatric Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Help us find a cure for Pediatric Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders. Commit to the Pediatric Pennies project by visiting www.pandoranet.info or www.Panda-clinic.com to help end the suffering.

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. has set the goal to raise $6 million dollars in pennies for Pediatric Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders research and education. Six million dollars has been the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) fiscal budget for Adult and Pediatric CFS.

Rebecca Artman, Public Policy Chair of P.A.N.D.O.R.A. says: “the idea for Pediatric Pennies came to be when I noticed the way we toss away pennies, as though they are useless. The people who suffer from Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders are a lot like those pennies, tossed aside because the illness is not glamorous”

Pat Fero, Executive Director of P.A.N.D.A. adds “The situation for children with Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders is perilous. Currently, little kids can be pressured and cajoled into participating in activities they cannot possibly accomplish. Expectations are out of line with the child's intellectual, emotional, social and physical abilities. Failure follows and instead of a growth in self-reliance, these children experience self-doubt and self-loathing. In middle school and high school, the situation may worsen to the point where kids drop out as soon as they are able. It is a no win situation for kids, parents and school personal. Pediatric Pennies seeks to change the outlook for school children with these illnesses. With proper diagnosis, a treatment protocol and accommodations in school curriculum, children with CFS, FM and other Neuroendocrineimmune disorders can thrive and become healthy adults."

Jill Mclaughlin, the mother a of child with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and a nationally recognized advocate for Children and Adults with CFS states: “There is still [a] lack of awareness [to the fact] that children [become ill with] CFS; yet many experts agree that if anything, children are more seriously affected than adults. My daughter was a very active, intelligent, social child who was frequently coming down with what we thought was the flu. We took her to doctors and she would seem better, only to get sick again. She missed a good deal of school, but was forced to try to catch up on her own. It took several years and visits to several doctors before she was finally diagnosed with CFS in the 6th grade. We were relieved to have a diagnosis, but at the time had no idea of the seriousness of the illness.

Due to the general lack of awareness and misconceptions, [as her parents] we were reported to the Department of Social Services [because of] her frequent [school] absences. It is abusive to send a child to school when they are ill, but [unfortunately] we were accused of neglect [because] we did not send her [to school]. Children are virtually being punished for being sick… Without adequate research and treatment, these children and their families will continue to suffer, not only from the illness itself but from the ignorance surrounding it."


We invite you to join with us in using your pennies, to fund research to find a treatment and a cure for Pediatric Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders. 

Pediatric Pennies Sign Up Form


Contact:

Rebecca Artman
Chair of Public Policy
P.A.N.D.O.R.A., Inc. - Patient Alliance for Neuroendocrineimmune Disorders
Organization for Research and Advocacy
Business Office: c/o Vina & Company, 255 Alhambra Circle, Suite 715
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
(954) 783-6771
PANDORALobby@aol.com
www.pandoranet.info


Pat Fero
Executive Director
P.A.N.D.A., Inc – Patient Alliance for Neurological Disorders Assistance
747 Lois Drive
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin 53590
(608) 834-1001
www.Panda-clinic.com

May 12, 2005