[P.Mom]

Hello Everyone!!

I am excited to update everyone on what has been happening regarding Pepsi Refresh Project PANDAS. As you all know, we were officially announced "Grant Recipients"......

Because I was the one who submitted the application, the funds had to be sent to me. I tried to get the grant money sent directly to Dr. Cunningham, but, Pepsi would not allow it. But, turns out to be a good thing! This Monday, at 6 am, I will be boarding a plane to go visit Madeleine and her staff in Oklahoma and hand her her funds! Monday evening, I will get to meet Dr. Cunningham and have dinner, then, Tuesday I will be visiting her lab, meeting all her staff, and will get a tour of the lab and updated on all that is and will be going on regarding PANDAS research! I will fly back Tuesday evening. I am so very excited, overwhelmed, humbled, etc. A producer from NBC, who is covering many of the Pepsi Projects, has also contacted me and they are trying to make arrangements to be in Oklahoma on Tuesday to cover the funds exchange and to interview Dr. Cunningham and I. This is still in the makings, so, it is not 100% happening. Let's hope so...the more PANDAS exposure, the better.

I will be asking LOTS of questions and taking lots of pictures to share. I really don't know what else to say except THANK YOU to all for making this happen...making the research happen for our kids...and all the future generations! I will do my very best to obtain as much info. as I can while I am with Dr. Cunningham, and, will do my very best to represent the wide, complex, PANDAS/PITANDS spectrum.

I don't know what else to say! I can't wait to update everyone after my trip!

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!

Kelly

p.s. I don't really like to fly....prayers are welcome!


As I hit "post topic"...my phone rang. (totally serious!) It was NBC, and, they have a crew in Dallas ready to go up to Oklahoma on Tuesday! WOW! This is all falling into place. GOD is GOOD! We will get this done for our kids!!!!!

This post has been edited by P.Mom: 30 July 2010 - 10:47 AM

[Worried Dad]

This is so cool, it's POLAR!!!

(Polar bears are cool... PANDAS, not so much.)

[Kayanne]

FANTASTIC!!!

Thank you so much all of this!!!

[philamom]

Kelly- That's wonderful! Thank you for all that you've done...this is going to help so many! Also, my belated thanks to Vickie, Jill and karen
Melinda

[fcefxer]

Great job Kelly, Have a wonderful time and please confirm that low titers can still mean PANDAS!!! Wouldn't it be nice if the great docs who've been doing IVIG could each give Dr. C a synopsis of their work and success that you could give her? Working together we get much farther!

YaaaaaaaaY!

Nancy

[smartyjones]

i can't really even express how impressed i am with what you've accomplished here!
fabulous!
i wish you such a fantastic trip!

[kimballot]

I am SOO SOOO happy for you and for us! Please see if you can take pictures and post them on facebook - that would be awesome!!

[JAG10]

AAAAAAAAH! How thrilling! And God bless you willing to go on TV!!!

Tell them no 50 cent tour for you! YOU want the $50,000 tour!!!!!!!!!

[KaraM]

I have goosebumps on my arms and legs and tears in my eyes. This is just awesome.

Thank you so much for initiating and leading this effort, Kelly. I can't wait to see you on t.v.!

Kara

[Trg girl]

That's just awesome news!!!

[JuliaFaith]

It is amazing how small things can turn into something big. Watch out things like this can snowball! Enjoy the ride and thank you for all you are doing!!!

[lynn]

First this is stellar news and I am really happy!!!

My other question is, has she come up with a concrete plan of what she will do with the money? Being realistic, in the research world $50,000 may be chump change, but on the other hand, it could fuel the beginnings of some things that we really want, like getting the CamK test legitimized as a diagnostic tool.

[tpotter]

I am SOOO excited. Have a great visit (I used to live about 10 blocks from there!)

This will feel so good to throw in my immunologist's face. She just told me yesterday that PANDAS is questionable. I asked her if she had ever read the articles I gave her from Dr. Cunningham. She wouldn't respond.

[mkur]

Best wishes. Thanks for all your hard work. Tell Kathy "Texas says Hi".

Break a leg!!!!! (http://en.wikipedia....iki/Break_a_leg - for the non-english readers)

[P.Mom]

Thanks everyone! Hey, as far as the t.v. thing goes.....I really don't know all the details regarding the shoot. NBC/Pepsi may edit, pick and choose which projects to air, etc. I don't think it guarantees a television appearance.........I am hoping so, for PANDAS and Dr. C's sake, but, I, myself, would like to aviod the whole t.v. appearance thing if at all possible , but, I will do whatever is necessary to help this project and our kids!


I wish Vickie were going with me!

This post has been edited by P.Mom: 30 July 2010 - 02:38 PM