Michele on the Move

MICHELE ON THE MOVE

This week, Michele Herndon—Vice-President of The Mitchell and Friends Foundation—is in Boston as a delegate at the World Orphan Disease Conference USA. The conference is in its 12th year, and is the largest rare disease and drug conference in the world, where advocates of rare diseases can meet with researchers and representatives from pharmaceutical companies to discuss ways to collaborate and treat thousands of rare diseases which affect millions of people. Poster by her side, Michele will be raising awareness of Mitchell Syndrome in the hopes that broader knowledge might lead to earlier diagnoses and possible treatments. Following that, on Thursday she will be attending a meeting with leaders of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network called, "The Future of the UDN." Vice-President Herndon will be sharing her experience as a mom of a UDN patient, and will be discussing Mitchell Syndrome as an example of what the UDN can do. Those in attendance will also be brainstorming ways to take the next steps with Mitchell Syndrome and other rare diseases. There is a way forward for people with rare diseases like Mitchell Syndrome, but it will take collaboration, creativity, and commitment. If you know her, you know that my wife is good at all three.

It's your generosity that allows Michele to make these connections and do this work. To help us reach our giving goals, visit mitchellandfriends.org/give.

-MRH (7/12)