Pandas/Pans Advocacy And Support Announces First Grant Recipients
Submitted by: PANDAS/PANS Advocacy and Support
2016-01-29 00:01:20
PANDAS/PANS Advocacy and Support assists families dealing with the medical, educational, emotional. and financial struggles of having a child with PANDAS/PANS.
Chicago, IL (OPENPRESS) In an unprecedented effort for their freshman year as a national non-profit organization, PANDAS/PANS Advocacy and Support has successfully affirmed its mission of supporting families whose children are affected by Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders by granting its first round of monetary grants. PANDAS/PANS Advocacy and Support is pleased to announce that four grants were awarded to families throughout the US in January 2016. Grant recipients include the Gallup Family of Florida, the Jones Family of Ohio, the Penna Family of CT, and the Putvin Family of Washington. The grants support these families' efforts to secure medical treatment for their children with PANDAS/PANS. PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus) and PANS (Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) are triggered by common bacterial and viral infections that result in abrupt onset obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or motor disturbances such as tics. Other symptoms frequently seen are mood swings, extreme hyperactivity, severe anxiety, and changes in sleep patterns and urinary frequency. Educational skills decline and school attendance can drop off sharply. Parents report that their children have changed dramatically and that their family life has been altered drastically. Sadly, children are often misdiagnosed for great lengths of time.
The recipients of the PANDAS/PANS Advocacy and Support grants acknowledge the critical impact the grants can have on the outcomes of their children's health. "This grant has been able to help Kylie, our family, and anyone that knows Kylie in many ways. As a family we decided to use the money that was awarded to us to seek IVIG (Intravenous ImmunoGlobulin) treatment." said PANDAS/PANS parent, Kara Jones. Often families must pay out of pocket due to the lack of a full range of insurance coverage options for the most effective methods of treatment, such as long term antibiotic usage, cognitive behavioral therapy, and IntraVenous ImmunoGlobulin (IVIG) treatments. In addition, many families must travel great distances to find physicians confident in treating the disorder. While both awareness and knowledge of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders are are increasing everyday, families still find themselves unprepared for the emotional and financial toll it can wreak. Grants will continue to be awarded to to families struggling with the many effects of PANDAS/PANS twice yearly, in January and July. Applications are accepted throughout the preceding months of December and June and can be found on the organization's website at www.pas.care. All families with the diagnosis in the US are eligible to apply.
PANDAS/PANS Advocacy and Support (PAS) was established in 2011 to offer support groups to families and create public awareness of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Illinois. This local group has grown to include over 400 families and has recently expanded its role nationwide to include advocacy, grant giving, and collaboration with other PANDAS/PANS groups and medical institutions. Please visit our website at http://www.pas.care and "Like" us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PAScares/. Contact: Wendy Nawara at 630-479-7143 or wendy@pas.care for further information.
