1974 - 2009 - Reye`s Syndrome

1974 - 2009
In The News
REYE’S SYNDROME
V o l u m e 1 , I ss u e 2
Fall 2009
Page 1
P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S AG E
Dear Friends,
35 years young, and the Foundation —which is You — is still strong and cultivating great
accomplishments!
The first quarter of 2009 saw the foundation inundated with Novel H1N1 Flu phone calls
and emails coming from parents from all over the world. A new Novel H1N1 Flu Family
Preparedness Guide was created by the Foundation and made available to the public
both through the office and on the NRSF website. Feedback on the new brochure was
astounding!
Board of Directors:
John E. Freudenberger
President
Larry M. Lasky
Vice President
Robert McKeown
Treasurer
Terri J. Freudenberger
Secretary
Marianne Piemonte
Aspirin Committee Chair
Thomas H. Glick, M.D.
Chairman, Scientific Advisory
Board
Trustees:
Barbara A. Bogenschutz
James F. Johnson
Barbara A. Ortiz
Stephen Pumm
Shirley Rice
We thank all of
our past and
present
Board Members
and Trustees for
all of their hard
work,
and for their
selfless
commitment
over the years.
1974—2009
In April, in the midst of the Novel H1N1 Flu outbreak, concerned about a possible Reye's
Syndrome outbreak on the heels of this H1N1 flu, the CDC updated their website and
literature to include an extensive amount of information to parents and caregivers about
Reye's Syndrome and salicylate avoidance. The news media, Homeland Security, the
NIH, all incorporated the CDC’s information into their own materials. Awareness of
Reye's
Syndrome is being treated as an important side issue to this Novel H1N1, as it well
should be.
In June, distinguished doctors and medical professionals from across the United States,
Nova Scotia, and Australia along with Reye's Syndrome Survivors, American Legion Child
Welfare Foundation Board Members, and Parents all joined us at the 35th Annual Meeting—a meeting that won’t ever be forgotten!
This past August of 2009, the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation commemorated 35
years of Awareness, Research, and Service to parents, caregivers, medical professionals,
and especially to children.
August 20th through the 25th saw us at the 91st Annual American Legion Convention in
Louisville, Kentucky. The NRSF was received warmly and with open arms. We passed
out over 10, 000 brochures, bookmarks, and ingredient cards, and we were honored to
participate, once again, with this dynamic and wonderful organization.
Our new “Be a Member, Add a Member” 2010 Membership Drive kicked off with a largesized-postcard mailing, a format we hope to use in future years with just as much enrollment as in the past, if not more.
We continue to move ahead on awareness projects, and we continue to fight the
unending fight for salicylate package labeling. The NRSF's 35 year Commemorative book
is now available, and if you are interested in having a copy see the next page of this
newsletter for more information.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said; “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny
matters compared to what lies within us.” Your input, your assistance, your hard work is
of profound value.
John E. Freudenberger
President
Page 2
35 YEAR COMMEMORATIVE BOOK
For the first time ever, the NRSF has compiled a
35 year historical collection of events, research,
and all of the people who contributed to making
the Foundation what it is today.
It was all about saving lives, and save lives we
did, and still do today. It was a grass-roots
movement that spanned the United States and
abroad, where special parents and families joined
together in determination and with a common
goal. It is a history to be proud of, a history that
will stand the test of time, a history that needs to
be told.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
The book; “35 Years, The National Reye's Syndrome Foundation” is now available. You can use the enclosed
envelope to pre-order your copy, or you can order by phone by calling the foundation, or on-line by using the link
provided on the NRSF website at www.reyessyndrome.org.
Every child’s story told to us over the past 35 years is included in the book, as are all the fundraisers, chapter
participants, medical researchers and papers, celebrities, politicians, along with everyone who participated in
the search for a cure and promoted awareness.
Since we only printed a thousand books and they are available on a first come, first serve basis, we encourage
you to call the office to reserve your copy today at 800-233-7393.
National Headquarters
426 N. Lewis Street
PO Box 829
Bryan OH 43506
Toll Free: 1-800-233-7393
Direct: 419-924-9000
Fax: 419-924-9999
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ReyesSyndrome.Org
President's Message
1
35 Year Commemorative
Book
2
35th Annual Meeting
3
Novel H1N1
7
2009 ALCWF Grant
7
Texas MMWR
7
Reye's Syndrome &
H1N1
8
NRSF at the Legion
Convention
8
Ways to Help
9
One of the Lucky Ones
10
To Remember
11
To Honor
12
In the Palm of Her
Hand
13
Brief But Bright
15
Friends Lost
16
John, My Brother
17
Confusing Headlines
18
Page 3
35th Annual
Meeting
Saturday
June 6 , 2009
The Blackwell
Inn
At
Fisher College
Ohio State
University
2110 Tuttle
Park Place
Columbus
Ohio
Commemorating 35
Years
35th Annual Meeting - Columbus
The 35th Annual Meeting was truly awe inspiring! National Reye's Syndrome Foundation President, John
Freudenberger, opened the 35th Annual Meeting, welcoming everyone to Columbus, Ohio. He soon turned the
meeting over to Dr. Thomas Glick, NRSF’s Scientific Advisory Board Chairman, and Dr. Glick moderated the
remainder of the meeting, introducing the speakers and guests.
Many of the Foundation’s initial research doctors were in attendance, as was Dr. Jim Baral, who worked with
Dr. Reye in Australia. Dr. Baral was our first speaker and he took us on a journey that began with his perilous
escape from Krakow, Poland during WWII, explaining how he ended up in Australia and working with Dr. Reye
on Reye’s Syndrome. Absolutely fascinating!
Dr. Karen Starko was our next speaker and our Keynote Speaker. She presented an interesting and
informative history on the association of aspirin and Reye's Syndrome, which took the research of the dangers
of aspirin to a far deeper level of understanding than any of us had ever been aware of before. Her book,
when it is complete, is going to be very powerful indeed and we look forward to reading about her findings in
more detail.
Our luncheon speaker was Dr. Lawrence Schonberger from the CDC. He spoke of his pride in the work he and
the NRSF had done in relationship to linking aspirin and Reye's Syndrome, and in getting the word out to
parents and caregivers about the risk of salicylates. He stated that he is committed to assisting the NRSF in
any way he can, and looks forward to his continued work with us.
In the afternoon session, Lois Hall, Executive Director Ohio Public Health Association, and formerly with the
Ohio Department of Health, spoke of her involvement with the NRSF and the Ohio Study. She spoke about her
deposition with the aspirin companies during the time we all worked so hard toward getting labels on aspirin
packaging. It was an emotional and powerful presentation and there was not a dry eye in the room when she
sat down.
Dr. John Crocker, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, then brought us up to date about the continuing research he is
doing, and what he is seeing now in patients who present with Reye's Syndrome. His presentation was quite
informative!
Dr. James Heubi, the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation’s Medical Director then spoke to us of his
experience in being associated with the NRSF and acknowledged the work of the Foundation, specifically of
the importance in continuing the Foundation’s work in education and awareness.
Two distinguished Board Members from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation were present, Mr.
Robert Caudell and Mr. Elmer Furhop. Both accepted Service Awards for the American Legion’s 31 year
commitment to the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation in spreading Reye's Syndrome Awareness. There
has never been a more powerful partnership than the one between the ALCWF and the NRSF, and the
Foundation can not thank them enough for all they and their members have done for children over the past
31 years.
All of our speakers were fabulous, and we profoundly thank them for giving of their time to join us at our 35th
Annual Meeting.
John and Terri Freudenberger, along with Dr. Glick, then presented Research Awards to:
Dr. Jim Baral
Dr. Baral was a Resident Pathologist in Sydney Australia in 1963, working with Dr. Ralph
Douglas Reye on research entitled, “Encephalopathy With Fatty Degeneration of the
Viscera,” now commonly referred to as Reye's Syndrome. Dr. Baral is now affiliated with
Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. He is a Diplomat of the American Board
of Dermatology and Pediatrics and is a member of several medical societies including the
American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery. In 1997, he was named Mount Sinai
School of Medicine’s Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Karen Starko
Keynote Speaker; Dr. Starko entered the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) of the
Centers for Disease Control in 1978 and was stationed at the Arizona Department of
Health Services, in Phoenix, Arizona where she conducted the first quantitative study
linking salicylate, most commonly aspirin, with Reye's Syndrome and a study with Floribel
Mullick, M.D. of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, showing the similarities
between the pathology of Reye's Syndrome and salicylate intoxication. She is currently
working on a book detailing the history of Reye's Syndrome.
Page 4
Dr. June Aprille, Ph.D.
Dr. Aprille is a member of the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation’s Scientific
Advisory Board. She has published extensively and presented regularly at conferences
and seminars. She was a teacher and an administrator at Tufts University, an Assistant
Professor of Biology in 1977, promoted to Associate Professor in 1980 and to
Professor in 1986. From 1987-2001 she held the Henry Bromfield Pearson Professor
Chair in Natural Sciences. She also served as Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
in the School of Medicine. Dr. Aprille was Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at
Tufts from 1986-89 and then Vice Provost for the following two years. Dr. Aprille had
been Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Professor of Biology at
University of Richmond since 2001. Currently, Dr. Aprille serves as Provost of
Washington Lee University in Lexington, Virginia.
Dr. John F. S. Crocker, MD, FRCPC
Dr. Crocker is a member of the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation’s Scientific
Advisory Board. He has a long list of credentials and appointments including the
University of King's College, Halifax, Nova Scotia, MD, Dalhousie University School
of Medicine, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of
Canada, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Professor
of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Adjunct Professor of
Pediatrics, Memorial University, Newfoundland.
Dr. Darryl De Vivo
Dr. De Vivo is a member of the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation’s Scientific
Advisory Board. Dr. De Vivo is the Sidney Carter Professor of Neurology, Professor
of Pediatrics, and Director Emeritus (1979-2000) of the Pediatric Neurology Service at
Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. He also is the Associate
Chairman for Pediatric Neurosciences and Developmental Neurobiology, the Founding
Director of the Colleen Giblin Research Laboratories for Pediatric Neurology, and CoDirector of the Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease at Columbia University
Medical Center.
Dr. Thomas Glick
Dr. Thomas Glick is the Scientific Advisory Board Chairman for the National Reye's
Syndrome Foundation. Dr. Glick is Chief of the Division of Neurology at Cambridge
Health Alliance and Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School.
He served in the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) at the CDC (U.S. Public Health
Service) where he became Chief of the Neurotropic Viral Disease Unit in the
Epidemiology Program. At the CDC he started the surveillance system for Reye’s
Syndrome in the United States and studied Reye’s epidemiology. Thereafter, he carried
on work on Reye’s in Boston and became increasingly involved in the work of the
National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation. In the American Academy of Neurology he
headed the Section on Neurological Education and the Patient Safety Committee.
Dr. James E. Heubi
Dr. Heubi is the Medical Director for the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation. He is
Professor/Associate Chair for Clinical Investigation of Pediatrics, Associate Dean for
Clinical and Translational Research, Co-Director Center for Clinical and Translational
Science and Training University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Children's Hospital
Medical Center. Dr. Heubi's areas of practice interests include liver disease in the
newborn including inborn errors of bile acid metabolism and complications related to
end-stage liver disease and liver transplantation. His research includes mechanisms of
human cholesterol absorption and synthesis.
Dr. Milo D. Hilty
Dr. Milo Hilty is recently retired now as Medical Director, Clinical Study Center,
Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. He served as the Medical Director,
Pediatric Clinical Trials International Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, as
Director, Vaccine Research and Development Ross Products Division, Abbott
Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio, also as Director, Clinical Research/Infectious Diseases
Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio and as Clinical
Professor - Department of Pediatrics The Ohio State University College of Medicine,
Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Hilty researched and wrote several papers on Reye’s Syndrome,
as well as other major pediatric issues.
Research papers about
Reye's Syndrome,
published by all of the
doctors here who received Research Awards,
as well as other doctors
who were not present at
the 35th Annual Meeting, can be found at Pub
Med on the Internet at
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
pubmed/
The PubMed database
comprises more than 19
million citations for
biomedical articles from
MEDLINE and life
science journals.
Citations may include
links to full-text articles
from PubMed Central or
publisher web sites.
PubMed is a service of
the U.S. National Library
of Medicine and the
National Institutes of
Health
All of our Research
Doctors have papers
there, and many can also
be downloaded from the
NRSF website’s library
on the Internet.
_____________________
_
More information about
the American Legion
Child Welfare Foundation can be found at
www.legion.org/cwf on
Page 5
John C. Partin, M.D.
Dr. John Partin is a member of the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation’s Scientific
Advisory Board. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in
Cincinnati, Ohio, and completed a pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Medical Center.
He was a practicing pediatrician and pediatric gastroenterologist, Program Director of the
Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Director the NIH-funded General Clinical
Research Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital where he, Jackie Partin and William
Schubert made multiple seminal observations regarding Reye's Syndrome. He was Chair
of Pediatrics at State University of New York at Stony Brook and is now retired, living in
Virginia.
Doctors not present at the
35th Annual Meeting
who also received
Reasearch Awards
included;
Dr. Brian Andresen
Dr. Robert Bobo
Dr. Paul Coates
Dr. Robert Couch
Dr. Ronald David
Dr. Larry E. David
Dr. Jerome Haller
Dr. Ellen Kang
Dr. William Schubert
Dr. Inderjit Singh
Dr. Philip Sunshine
Dr. Joel Taubin
Dr. Doris Trauner
Jacqueline S. Partin, M.S.
Jacqueline was a life long collaborator with John Partin and William Schubert who
produced multiple seminal observations regarding Reye's Syndrome while a Research
Associate at the Children's Hospital Medical Center. She maintained her interest and
continues to work on areas of cell biology while at the State University of New York at
Stony Brook and in Virginia.
J. Dennis Pollack, Ph.D.
J. Dennis Pollack, Professor and Vice-Chairman Molecular Virology, Immunology and
Medical Genetics Emeritus, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Ohio State
University, Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Pollack served as the National Reye's Syndrome
Foundation’s founding Scientific Advisory Board Chairman, as Chairman of the
Foundation's Grant Committee, and as the Foundation’s Editor in Chief. Dr Pollack
edited Publications such as “Reye's Syndrome; Proceedings of the International
Conference on Reye's Syndrome”, and each of the Journals of the National RS
Foundation; biannual professional publications containing original reviewed scientific
articles, proceedings of meetings, monographs or matters of professional interest on all
aspects of Reye's Syndrome. Dr. Pollack, Professor Emeritus, has now retired yet he still
makes himself available to the Foundation.
Lawrence B. Schonberger, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr. Schonberger is currently a Distinguished Consultant and Assistant Director for Public
Health, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, at the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. He first joined the CDC in 1971 as an Epidemic
Intelligence Service (EIS) Officer in the epidemiology unit responsible for poliomyelitis
surveillance and other virus-related neurological illnesses, including Reye Syndrome. Since
1976, he has supervised the epidemiology group stationed at CDC that has conducted
epidemiological surveillance and investigations of Reye's Syndrome. In this position, he
played an important role in markedly reducing the public health impact of Reye's
Syndrome through documenting and publicizing its strong association with salicylate
exposures. Dr. Schonberger remains highly interested in Reye's Syndrome and enjoys
working closely with the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation.
Lois Hall: M.S.
Lois Hall, M.S., retired from the Ohio Department of Health in May 2008, after nearly 30
years of service. Among her work there, in addition to her work in the area of Reye’s
Syndrome, she was also responsible for the surveillance of Kawasaki Disease,
Legionnaire’s Disease, HIV/AIDS and general infectious diseases; HIV/AIDS
Prevention and Risk Reduction; and finally Comprehensive Cancer Control. She is
currently the Executive Director for the Ohio Public Health Association. Lois is also a
Certified Grief Recovery Specialist and National Trainer for the Grief Recovery Institute.
Alvin D. Jackson, M.D.,
Dr. Alvin D. Jackson, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, has a long history of
providing health care to Ohioans. “Ohio’s doctor,” as he is known, became director of
the Ohio Department of Health—or ODH—June 2007, following his appointment by
Gov. Ted Strickland.
Page 6
Robert Caudell
Deputy Director Americanism and Children & Youth Division The American
Legion. Bob Caudell, Crawfordsville, Indiana is a Vietnam era veteran of the
U.S. Army and Executive Secretary of the American Legion Child Welfare
Foundation. He joined the Legion’s headquarters staff in 1991.
Elmer Furhop
Elmer Fuhrhop from Hamler, Ohio is a WWII U.S.
Army veteran and a member of the American
Legion Child Welfare Foundation Board of
Directors. He is also Chairman Emeritus of the
Legion’s National Commission on Children & Youth.
John & Terri Freudenberger
Co-Founders of the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation
are presented an award by Dr. Thomas Glick for 35 years
of unwavering service to children.
Service Awards
At dinner, Service Awards were presented to NRSF
Board Members and NRSF Chapter
Representatives.
Shown is James Johnson, NRSF Trustee and
Southern California Chapter President with his
Service Award.
Medical Professionals from front left: Dr. James Heubi, Lois Hall, Dr. Darryl
De Vivo, Dr. J. Dennis Pollack, Dr. June Aprille, Jackie Partin, Dr. Milo Hilty, Dr.
Jim Baral, Dr. Tom Glick. Back row left to right; Dr. Larry Schonberger, Dr. Alvin
Jackson, Dr. Karen Starko, Dr. John Crocker, Dr. John Partin, Terri and John
Freudenberger.
NRSF Board Members, from front left; Dr. Heubi, Marianne Piemonte, Shirley Rice,
Barb Bogenschutz, Barb Ortiz, Larry Laskey, Dr. Glick. Back row left; Terri
Freudenberger, Bob McKeown, Steve Pumm, Jim Johnson, John Freudenberger.
The CFW:
American Legion
Child Welfare
Foundation
“Our foremost
philanthropic priority is
to provide other nonprofit organizations with
a means to educate the
public about the needs of
children across this nation.“
To date, over $9 million
has been awarded to
organizations to assist
the children of this
country from the
American Legion Child
Welfare Foundation Inc.
Over the past 35 years,
the Child Welfare Foundation has provided
more than $234,000 in
grant money to the
National Reye’s
Syndrome Foundation,
providing for School
Mailings, Video Documentaries , Public Service Announcements,
Printing of Brochures
and Medical Literature,
and assisting the NRSF
with awareness projects involving schools
and hospitals across
the United States.
Page 7
NOVEL H1N1 AND REYE'S SYNDROME – BECAUSE
YOU NEED TO KNOW….
New Novel H1N1 Flu Family Preparedness Guide brochures were developed in April of 2009 due to the overwhelming amount of phone calls the
office was receiving from parents and medical professionals who wanted
more information about this strain of flu and Reye's Syndrome.
We also updated our Because You Need to Know brochure, and both were
passed out at the 91st Annual American Legion Convention in Louisville,
Kentucky in August, where convention goers made special trips to visit the
NRSF booth to pick up these brochures once word got out they were
available.
Two new videos have been placed on the NRSF website. One, featuring
the CDC’s Kidtastics H1N1 radio PSA was combined with NRSF created
images to produce a terrific video for kids about taking care of themselves
when they feel sick or have the flu.
The other video features Angela, the little girl
on the front of the H1N1 brochure, talking
about Reye's Syndrome.
Both videos can be downloaded and shown at
schools, organizations, clubs, doctor’s offices;
anywhere to promote Reye's Syndrome
Awareness.
Everyone is welcome to download both of the
brochures and the videos from our website at
www.ReyesSyndrome.Org.
2009 SCHOOL MAILING—ALCWF GRANT
In July of 2009, the NRSF applied for a grant from the American Legion
Child Welfare Foundation. The grant asked for support in mailing out 131
thousand oversized postcards to every public, private school, and
university, across the United States.
In the past we have mailed our information to district Superintendents and
this year we wanted to be absolutely certain that individual schools were
receiving our information. We did not want to rely on busy district offices
where our information might get over looked, especially this year, with
Novel H1N1 attacking our focus age group; children.
October 16th, we were notified that we had been awarded the grant. We
immediately went to work getting Reye's Syndrome and Novel H1N1 information out to those 131 thousand schools.
Encourage schools in your area to visit the NRSF website and
download Reye's Syndrome information!
A great big Thank You! goes out to the American Legion Child Welfare
Foundation for once again supporting our awareness and saving children’s
lives!
TEXAS MMWR—NOVEL H1N1 & REYE’S
One in four children seen
was given both peptobismol and aspirin! One in
four! Those are the odds
we are seeing… Our work is
not done and Awareness
and Education is still
desperately needed!
On May 28, 2009, the Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services notified CDC of four children
with neurological complications associated with Novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection admitted to hospitals
in Dallas County, Texas, during May 18--28. Patients were aged 7--17 years and were admitted with signs of
influenza-like illness and seizures or altered mental status. Three of the four patients had abnormal
electroencephalograms.
Patient D. On May 27, a black male aged 11 years with a history of asthma was [admitted] because of 1 day of
fever and vomiting. A household contact, his grandmother, had an upper respiratory infection 3 days before his
illness. One day before admission, he had a fever of 102.0°F, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, and vomiting,
and was given bismuth subsalicylate twice and one 81 mg aspirin. Fortunately, all four patients recovered fully
and had no neurologic sequelae at discharge. The entire MMWR report can be read at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/
preview/mmwrhtml/mm5828a2.htm
Page 8
R E Y E ’ S S Y N D RO M E A S E R I O U S F AC T O R I N
R E G A R D S T O N OV E L H 1 N 1 F L U
As soon as Mexico announced its problem with “Swine Flu” the Foundation’s phone and email were inundated
with questions from worried parents whose children were returning from Mexico Spring-Break vacations, and
from school nurses wanting more information.
At the end of April, 2009, an email from the Foundation was sent to Dr. Larry Schonberger at the CDC stating
“...we need to intensify the awareness of Reye's Syndrome or at the least the “No Aspirin for Children” comment
as we certainly don’t want to have an outbreak of Reye's Syndrome along with this flu! People have forgotten...
and that is what scares us the most! Is there anything you can do?”
Dr. Schonberger immediately forwarded the email to other CDC colleagues and the CDC immediately updated
their on-line and printed materials to include quite a lot of information about aspirin products and Reye's
Syndrome. Once the CDC included the Reye's Syndrome warning, all other government agencies and even the
news media adopted the same wording for their materials sent to parents, businesses, and schools.
Dr. Larry Schonberger
Kevin Jennings, Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education responded to a NRSF email inquiry with this
statement; “As schools prepare to re-open for the fall and students come into close contact again with
one another, health experts are predicting a large increase in cases of the H1N1 virus. As you
probably know, the Federal government announced new guidelines for schools on August 7, 2009,
which included specific information about excluding sick students and when closures may potentially
occur. As part of this guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) included specific
language about Reye’s Syndrome’s potential dangers. As the U.S. Department of Education creates
supplemental materials for schools and parents, we could include similar language to reiterate this
message.
We could also work with partner organizations, such as the
National Association of School Nurses and the PTAs, to
ensure that parents and caregivers receive the messages
about Reye’s Syndrome and the use of appropriate
medication to reduce fevers. We will also identify other mechanisms
to disseminate information about H1N1, including Reye’s Syndrome,
such as the Parent Information Resource Centers.”
Thanks to Dr. Schonberger and the CDC, our message got across loud
and clear and is out there once again, reminding parents and
caregivers about Reye's Syndrome and aspirin containing products.
Yet we still see reports like the Texas MMWR showing where children
are still being given aspirin products for fever and flu. The phone rings
at the office with several parents each day who had forgotten, or just
did not know about Reye's Syndrome and salicylates.
If Novel H1N1, or any flu or chicken pox outbreak occurs in your area, we would ask that you remind, or teach,
parents and caregivers about Reye's Syndrome - for our Kid’s sake!
N R S F A T T H E 9 1 S T A N N UA L L E G I O N C O N V E N T I O N
The NRSF was invited to participate with an exhibit at the 91st Annual American Legion
Convention, held this past August in Louisville, Kentucky. This is the first time the NRSF
had been back to an American Legion Convention for more than ten years.
More than 100,000 American Legion, Legion Auxiliary members, from 51 States and US
Territories attended the convention this year. Members of the American Legion Child
Welfare Foundation, and even some NRSF Members stopped by the booth to warmly
welcome us back. The Foundation renewed a lot of old friendships and passed out Reye's
Syndrome literature which was in great demand. We heard many comments like; “I need
to give this to my Son or Daughter to read because they don’t know anything about Reye's
Syndrome…” Many nurses and teachers stopped by the booth and picked up materials to
share.
The Foundation created a video using the CDC’s Kidtastics H1N1 radio PSA and showed it
during the convention. Everyone thought it was very informative and even wanted copies
to take home. The PSA is now on the NRSF website for all to view. Spangler Candy
Company of Bryan, Ohio, donated several cases of their famous Dum-Dum suckers to the
Foundation to give away at the booth. All in all, it was five days well spent and the
Foundation spread Awareness to thousands of families that week. We are looking forward
to attending the 92nd Annual American Legion Convention in Milwaukee at the end of
August in 2010.
Kevin Jennings
Page 9
WAYS
YO U C A N H E L P
Give a NRSF Membership
as a Holiday Gift this year!
Membership Gifts make great gifts for
Co-workers and Family members.
A special Card with your Gift of Membership
will be mailed in time for the Holiday to the
new Member, and a tax deductible donation
receipt will be mailed to you.
Give the Gift of Life… Give the Gift of
Membership!
Send us your old Cell Phone!
The NRSF is collecting cell phones. We recycle them, collect a donation from
the recycler, and they in turn clean the phones and give them to battered
women shelters and to children who may need them so they can use
the phone to call 911.
Everyone wins with this program!
You can do something good for the Foundation,
for the Earth, and for those in need of an emergency phone!
Mail us your old Cell Phone today!
Include the NRSF in your Will, and give the Gift of Life…
Contact the NRSF for a Planned Gift Giving booklet that explains all the different ways you can
provide a Legacy of Life to the foundation. Until there is a definitive cure for Reye's Syndrome,
the NRSF will remain committed to the health and well-being of those who are most at risk by
continuing its work to provide Awareness.
For 35 years, the NRSF’s Volunteers, Chapters, Representatives, Medical Advisors, and Researchers have watched over the safety of children in regards to salicylate products and we will
continue to do so for as long as it takes to find a cure… Consider a Legacy of Life.
Everyone who uses the Internet eventually uses a Search Engine. One search engine on the
internet is donating dollars to charity for using their search engine at www.GoodSearch.com.
Simply type in National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation into the ‘Charity Box”, click “verify”, and
search the Internet as you normally would. You can even download the Good
Search Toolbar making it easier to donate search dollars to the NRSF. If you
shop on the Internet, starting at www.GoodShop.com, choosing the NRSF as
your charity, then clicking on one of their 100’s of stores, a percentage or flat
amount is donated to the NRSF just because you began your shopping there.
We encourage all of our members to search from Good Search and shop from
Good Shop to fundraise for the Foundation.
Page 10
I’m one of the lucky ones. I survived Reye’s Syndrome.
My Reye’s Syndrome survival story is a long one, complete with the flu, an accidental
overdose of an anti-vomiting drug that no one knew I was allergic to, ambulance rides to
two different hospitals, thinking that EMTs making conversation with my older sister were
actually trying to get her phone number, plenty of needles and hospital tests, and what I’m
convinced was an army of steroid-pumped bodybuilders holding me down so they could do
a spinal tap.
It includes three tries to put a tube down my nose so they could pump my stomach, my
mother deciding not to call a priest to perform the sacrament of the sick for fear that I’d
stop fighting for my life, and missing 18 days of school in a single marking period. But I was
one of the lucky ones because my story ends with me recovering in the bed next to a girl
who was, at the time, the oldest person in the Chicago area to have Reye’s. I was in eighth
grade, she was in high school. Her condition was very serious and at a much more
advanced stage than mine. And while, like me, she was one of the lucky ones because she
survived, she had to relearn how walk, how to talk, and how to write.
Over the years, I sometimes forget that I had Reye’s Syndrome. With the number of cases
now so low, it’s easy to do. Plus, in the 35 years since then, I’ve never met any one else
that had Reye’s. In fact, I’ve only met one other person who even knew someone else that
had had Reye’s.
But now, as the media run daily stories about H1N1 and how this flu strain could become a
pandemic, I’m reminded of Reye’s Syndrome. And I worry. I worry about what will happen.
Will there be more cases?
I worry that we’ve become complacent and convinced that the danger of Reye’s has
passed. I worry that parents – and teens and young adults who self-medicate -- won’t take
the time to read the fine print and ingredients listings on the bottles that they carry in their
messenger bags, backpacks and purses. Will they self-medicate to treat any flu-like
symptoms? Will they really know what they’re taking? And if they don’t, will there be a spike
in the number of Reye’s Syndrome cases reported?
I worry that Reye’s is old news. Old news that might become new again.
I urge everyone to print out the National Reye's Syndrome Foundation’s list of products that
contain salicylates. Compare it to the listing of ingredients on the products in your medicine
cabinet. Take it with you to the store and refer to it before you buy any over-the-counter
medication. Give copies to those you love, those you know, and especially those who spend
time with children, teens or young adults.
Who knows? Your concern and caring could mean that another child is able to be one of
the really lucky ones -- lucky enough to never become a Reye’s Syndrome statistic.
Cindy Kluck-Nygren
March 1974 Reye’s Syndrome Survivor
•
The list of products that contain salicylates that Cindy refers to is available on the NRSF
website on the literature page; www.reyessyndrome.org/literature.html. There are also
lists of commonly used items that do not contain salicylates available, too.
•
For posters, brochures, bookmarks and other Awareness Items, go to
www.reyessyndrome.org/schools.html.
Page 11
TRIBUTES
Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard,
but always near,
Still loved, still missed
and very dear.
~ Anonymous
TO
Steven Willmott Browning Sr.
S'lena Browning
Michael Glace
Susan Van Gorder
Kristi Ellen Shaffer
Sharon Shaffer
Robert A. Todd
Jackie Todd & Family
Norman Schain
Jordi Schain-Shuler
Marianne Schain
Kelly Carpenter
James 'Harr' Harrington
Oliver Steele
Toivo 'Toy' Laitinen
Vina Kingston
Chuck & Lorena Krause
Michael Glace
Frankie Malatesta
Susan Van Gorder
Melonie & Christian Mujica
Fred & Erin Henderson
Bill Deso
Susan Umphenour
Owen Handley
Susan Umphenour
Randy John Kapp
Edward & Karen Kapp
Shirley Dettelbach
John & Terri Freudenberger
Elisa G. Knight
Jerry & Jennifer Knight
David William Jenkins
Bill & Susan Jenkins
Edward Keister
Kathi Ann Keister
Nancy Keister
Sylvia Yost
Joshua Reck
W. Mack & Carol Hill
Jeffrey Deimling
Ralph & Rita Deimling
Aaron Egolf
Sandra Bodfish
John E Lyon
Melissa L Lyon
Stanley & Rita Payne
Joey Brockman
Ginger Brockman
Irving Hauss
Gene & Helena Brody
Jeffrey Gerald Littler
HONOR, REMEMBER...
Jody Littler
Cheryl Denise Willingham
Jennifer Doyle
Denise Wilson Willingham
Frank & Joan Marino
Stephen & Angela Rosier
Charlotte Brooks
Irving Kanowitz
MDE
Leslie Jo Morris
Patricia L. Morris
Greg Bollinger
SMSGT Robert Bollinger & Leah
Jennifer Wellington
Ray & Barbara Moore
Donna Bracco
Chuck & Lorena Krause
Jason Charles Rasso
Joyce Rasso
Ruth Gulkis
Barbara & Michael Klein
Louis Pettine
Susan Pettine
George Chimento
Christine & Matthew Doyle
Sheila & James Salvo
Edward Pettine
Heather Hammond
Leo & Frances Drury
Janice Napert
Jennifer & Robert Haller
John & Ingeborg DeFusco
Ryan Doyle
Alix Ogden
Matt Stark
Matthew Soursourian
Linda Painter
Deb Dormody
Buff Chace
Frank & Margie Botelho
Daniel Baudouin
Rosemary P. Pettine
James & Kathleen Biltcliffe
Ferdinand & Claudia Scrivo
Paul & Suzanne Boucher
Barbara & Laurent Guay
Tim & Charlotte Doyle
Fall River Country Club
Suzanne Cantwell
Scott & Amanda MacDonald
William & Laraine Joncas
Promotional Advertising Assoc.
Michael Garofalo
Paul & Madeleine Leite
Nancy & Jeffrey Murphy
Sisters of the Heart Red Hat Soc.
William & Janet Lapoint
Karam Insurance Agency Inc
James Pierce &
Stephanie Fortunato
Cornish Associates
Dr. Gerald & Linda Monchik
John & Kathryn Medeiros
Carol Shapiro
Joseph & Jeanne Sousa
Stephen & Brenda Lopes
Arthur & Paula Latessa
Walter & Nancy Fraze
William & Helen Little
James & Louise Hardiman
Paul & Paula Souza
Kenneth & Virginia Brooks
Jeffrey Pettine
Amy Pettine
Ruslon E. Smith
Nancy Walnista
Scott Thibeault
Brenda Thibeault
Cheryl Ann Packard
Juanita Packard
Christopher Schmidt
Catherine & Harold Schmidt
Christy Renea Aultman
Larry & Toni Aultman
Madeline Owens
Monica Pacione
Mary Pacione
Paul Chacho
Karol & Mary Chacho
Rosemary Devlin
Jeffrey Lasky
Harold & Gloria Lipschultz
Jeanne Jordan
Robert & Alice Glaser
Michael Weiland
John & Terri Freudenberger
Mark & Cathy Zraik
John LaCascio
Connie Quigley
Michael F. Lagen
Ignatious J. Lagen
Kevin L. West
Jacqueline Todd
Eileen Cannell
Howard & Linda Rudolf
Page 12
TRIBUTES TO HONOR, REMEMBER...
Debera A. Dugan
Chris Viloria
To Honor...
James & Florence Dugan
Beverly & Anthony Viloria
Anna Galloway
Belcan Corporation
Rodney Strunk
Gene & Joyce Strunk
Scott M. Brody
Helena & Gene Brody
Jerry Vaughan
Dalena Samuel
Edward Wheeler Haselden, III
William Haselden
Ilima Freudenberger
Karen Gibbs
Tammy Lee Nolan
Carolyn Reynolds
Steven Douglas Hendershot
Takako Hendershot
Monica Pacione
Mary Pacione
JoAnna Lee Moore
Gary & Bonnie Moore
Kevin Pitterle
James & Carol Pitterle
Jennifer Schudel
Mary & Paul Schudel
Leanne Sue Lafreniere
Lois Lafreniere
Karen Buffington Del Pescio
Barbara & Bennett Russell
Randy Morgan
Ron & Sheila Morgan
Scott Umehira
Howard & JoAnn Umehira
John Dieckman
Richard Flaville
Kevin Arthur Patch
Arthur & Carol-Lee Patch
Christy Renea Aultman
Toni & Larry Aultman
Patrick & Angela Cosby
Jeffrey Deimling
Ralph & Rita Deimling
Nan Robin Gorenstein
Barbara & Herbert Gorenstein
Christine Marie Siwek
James & Nina Siwek
Deanna Marie Clayton
James Kasbohm
Mary Judith Saeli
John & Kathleen Saeli
Thomas J. Adams
Loretta Adams
Michelle Lynn Alleman
Grace E. Werner
Lisa & David Slates
Jay Lawrence
Ginny & Paul Peterson
Michael Pettine
Susan Pettine
Jeffrey Pettine
Amy Pettine
Kevin Pitterle
Tim & Cindy Pitterle
Rory K. Deckert
Dale Deckert
Michael Andreano
Vincent & Rosemary Andreano
David Jenkins
Bill & Susan Jenkins
John Thomas Mullican
J.T. & Nancy Mullican
Joey Brockman
James & Dorothy Heyne
Kimberly Moss
Donald & Patricia Lange
R. Michael Schonning
Eunice Schonning
Florence Rand
Joan Beckman
Mike & Pattie Beckman
Mark Beckman
Leslie Jo Morris
Patricia Morris
Eli Shapiro
Stacey Shapiro
Kelly Annette Mathias
Dwinna Barker
Jennifer Dean Tise
Linda Barringer
Kelly Annette Mathias
Dwinna Barker
Joy Rene' Patton
Joyce Patton
Kena Slinchak
Pamela Slinchak
Tamara Smitherman
Ronnie & Betty Jo Smitherman
The Gammel Family
Virginia Hodge
Susan Marie Schlenz
Lawrence & Patricia Schlenz
Julie Yeager Scheie
Richard & Elizabeth Yeager
Lynn McKeown
Charles & Joan Bergdoll
Michael Repsher
Thomas & Valerie McCracken
Jodi Augustine Bukky
Carol Augustine
Bam V. Gresset
Beverly & Anthony Viloria
Kellie Walker Puckett
Richard & Ann Walker
Andrew Hausheer
Dr & Mrs Jeff Hausheer
Amal Hakki
Mohamad & Jasmine Hakki
Vince A. Smith
Nancy Smith
Jennifer Funk
Joan Funk
Robb Gerken
Jeannie & Larry Gerken
Bradley Newman
Michael & Sandra Coulson
Matthew Farmer
Darryll & Karen Farmer
Rachel E. Lemisch
James & Karen Lemisch
Mindi (Anson) Weiner
Doris & Richard Anson
William H. Crow
George & Lucille Crow
Joanna Ellis - Monaghan
William & Elaine Ellis
Christian Van Dijk
Sheri Pfeiffer
Jeffrey Hillman
Ralph & Susan Hillman
Deborah Shilowski-Derderian
Raymond & Kathleen Shilowski
Lee Ann, Bob, & Alyssa Lopez
Nancy Keister
John Murphy
Nora Murphy and Friends
Janet Bogenschutz
Lenny and Barb Bogenschutz
Travis Graham
Tommy & Judy Graham
Have you ever told us your Reye’s Syndrome story?
Are you a survivor? Did you lose someone close to you to Reye’s?
Share your story with others, so they know they are not alone.
Do you have a poem or book that inspired you, or consoled you? We
would like to k now about it. We want to include your stories, thoughts
and insights in future newsletters.
Friends Lost
Shirley Dettelbach
Denise Wilson Willingham
Louis D. Pettine
Paul J. Chacho
Eileen Cannell
Roland Lafreniere
Mr. & Mrs. Josh Billings
John Murphy, Ireland
If I should go tomorrow
It would never be
goodbye,
For I have left my heart
with you, So don't you
ever cry.
The love that's deep
within me, Shall reach you
from the stars,
You'll feel it from the
heavens, And it will heal
the scars.
- Anonymous
Page 13
IN
THE
PALM
OF
HER HAND
Julie Therese… a vibrant child who charmed everyone she met and dearly loved by her parents and two
younger sisters…Karen, 8, and Meghan, 3. She seemed able to strike up a conversation with the oldest
adult…and play on the level of the smallest child. I was Julie’s Girl Scout leader before Christmas in 1979
when our troop decorated a tree and sang carols for the residents at a local Piqua nursing home. One of the
residents told Julie it would be her first Christmas ever without her family. And so, on that busy Christmas
morning in the midst of toys, gifts and wrappings, it came as no surprise to me when she asked to bring
flowers to her “new friend” at the nursing home…a gift for a special lady on Christmas Day from a very special
nine year old girl. It would be our last Christmas ever with Julie.
The winter of 1980 was uneventful for our family. I was oblivious to the fact that Reye’s Syndrome was
devastating the lives of children and families all over the country. There were 548 cases of Reyes reported to
the Center for Disease Control that year (113 in Ohio) with at least 107 deaths. Five deaths were reported in
Ohio… But not in the news! I am chilled by the thought that one of them was Julie…now a statistic!
July of 1980 came and Julie spent her usual week at Girl Scout Camp in Morrow, Ohio. While she was away,
several children in town became ill with what appeared to be “just cold” symptoms…sore throats, low-grade
fever. The swim meet scheduled for Karen was cancelled since so many swimmers were down with “whatever
was going around”. And then Meghan developed a sore throat and fever. Aspirin, one and ¼ grain (80 mg.)
per year of age every four hours for fever over 101 degrees was the standard at the time. I gave her two,
chewable, orange flavored, Bayer Baby Aspirin. She recovered within 24 hours and Julie came home from
camp. The following week Karen developed a fever of 102 degrees that remained elevated for a few days. On
her birthday, July 25th, suspecting that it might be strep throat, I took her to our pediatrician for a throat culture which proved to be negative. “Just a simple viral infection”, I was told by the nurse on the phone.
“Continue the aspirin and fluids and call if she is not better by Monday”. Karen, thankfully, recovered. Years
later I learned that it was July of 1980 when studies done in Arizona, Ohio and Michigan suggested a connection between the use of aspirin with the initial infection (flu, chicken pox) and the development of Reye’s Syndrome. I cannot let go of the anger... my children were sick… and they knew! Where were the warnings?
Julie was so active over the weekend catching up on her summer reading and swimming with her friends at
the pool… I gave little thought to the fact that perhaps she would also catch this mysterious summer virus.
But on Monday morning, July 28th, as we headed out for swim team practice, Julie asked me to drop her off at
the library. “I don’t feel good and if I’m going to be sick, I want plenty of books to read.” Even now…I am sickened by the thought of what happened next. I can see her standing in the kitchen while I placed one adult
aspirin (325mg) and two “baby” aspirin in the palm of her hand. Was it all a dream? No, it was a mother’s
worse nightmare. I gave her a substance which would be toxic for her. It was the first day of the last week of
my beautiful daughter’s life.
By Wednesday morning Julie had recovered and my thoughts turned to preparing for house guests. Mary,
John, and their children, Leah and Jason were scheduled to arrive late Thursday. Julie was very excited since
she had not seen her friend Leah, 10, since she had moved to Michigan. But something still wasn’t quite right
with Julie. We went to MacDonald’s Wednesday evening and she said she didn’t feel like eating. No nausea or
stomach pain; just no appetite. No appetite for MacDonald’s? Surprised and feeling somewhat anxious, I
brought her home and she went to bed before the sun went down.
Julie’s malaise continued through Thursday but she was up to greet Leah when the family arrived Thursday
night. They trotted off together, Karen trailing along, to the girl’s bedroom where we could hear the sounds of
their chatter and laughter drifting through the house. Thank God…she seems to be OK. You are definitely a
nervous Mom. Just calm down.
Friday, August 1st. The girls were up bright and early making plans for the day. Julie, at last, ate a good
breakfast of French toast; her favorite. I drove Karen, Meghan and Jason to the pool. Karen was scheduled
for her last swim practice before the championship meet in Coldwater, Ohio on Saturday. And I knew the
younger children would have fun in the “baby pool”. Meanwhile, Mary took Julie and Leah to the mall for haircuts…much to their delight! Life had returned to normal… the weather was hot but it didn’t matter… I knew it
was going to be a great weekend.
It was noon and I was in the driveway unloading wet suits, towels and pool toys when Leah came running out
of the house. “Julie threw up in the beauty shop!” she yelled.
I found her in her room reading in bed. “Are you OK? What happened?” I asked. She explained that she “just
threw up”; on the floor. She didn’t know she was about to be sick and couldn’t make it to the restroom. Her
tummy felt soft to touch. She did not complain of pain or cramping. No headache, but very thirsty. I brought
her ice chips… and waited, almost prayerfully, for the diarrhea to begin.
Later, Mary said that Julie had vomited “suddenly and forcefully” at the mall. It continued that way for the
next six hours, frequently and relentlessly, until the vomiting was reduced to nothing but dry heaves. At 8:00
P.M. I called our pediatrician at his home. He said it was most likely a severe gastroenteritis and warned that
it would probably “go through the whole family”. And our house guests, too, I thought! “If she continues to
vomit, bring her to the office in the morning”. In retrospect, I wish he didn’t have Saturday morning office
hours. If only we had just brought her directly to the emergency room. The first of a long list of “if only’s” had
begun.
Page 14
In the Palm of her Hand continued…
It was a long night. Julie climbed into bed with me. But she was restless and occasionally tip-toed to the kitchen for more
ice. The vomiting appeared to have ended. At about 5:00 A.M., now Saturday, she asked to go out to the couch in the family room. I followed and noticed that she seemed to stagger a little as she walked down the hallway. Across the room,
through the glass sliding doors, I watched a beautiful sunrise. When I called her attention to it, she looked at me groggily
and in an irritable voice said, “I don’t want to look at the sunrise.” And then, “Mom, I want Leah to leave…” Dear God…
Something is terribly wrong with Julie, I prayed. This is not happening!
A few minutes after 6:00 A.M., Karen and her Dad walked through the family room ready to go. Of course, the swim meet…
how could I forget? “I’m worried. I’m taking her to see Dr. C. at nine o’clock” I told him. I wished Karen luck and Julie murmured, “Have fun, Karen”. Bill, always the optimist, reassured us that Julie would be just fine. Of course, she’s going to
be fine. She was sick to her stomach…probably something she ate. Dr. C. will wonder why you ever brought her in…
Julie was quiet on the way to see the doctor. She didn’t even want to bring along her book that she was reading from the
Boxcar Children series. But she begged me for water. Certain now that the vomiting was over, I gave her a full glass.
“Much better”, she smiled. When we arrived, she threw up in the parking lot. Clear liquid. It was with difficulty she walked
into the doctor’s office. For the first time, Reye’s Syndrome flashed through my mind. But I quickly put that one to rest.
No…it’s summer. This cannot be the flu. And she had chicken pox in 1978…during the blizzard.
“Hello, Julie! Give me five!” Julie responded with her good-natured high five. She knew that he would make her better.
She loved Dr. C. and he had always made her feel better…usually within hours. He quickly began to examine her…no fever,
abdomen soft and non-tender, neuro exam unremarkable. He looked at me and quietly stated “I know what you’re thinking, Mom. It is not Reye’s Syndrome!” He couldn’t know what I was thinking…but now I knew what he was thinking. At the
time, however, I did not know that a blood test for ammonia levels and liver function was available to help with a diagnosis.
But he did. Strange, I thought, he told me to call him at 6:00 P.M…one way or the other.
He sent us home with a prescription for a Tigan suppository…an antiemetic that would help her stop vomiting. The pharmacist seemed reluctant to give it to a child and called the doctor’s office to confirm his choice of medication. At 12 noon,
after a struggle to help Julie, now stumbling and holding onto the walls, I got her back to bed and gave her the suppository.
Again, I learned a few weeks later that the FDA had issued a warning that anti-nausea drugs such as Tigan should be
avoided with vomiting in children since it may mask the symptoms of Reye’s Syndrome or increase it’s severity.
By two o’clock on Saturday afternoon, Julie’s condition was rapidly deteriorating. She became extremely restless, confused
and disoriented. When she complained of “black spots in front of her eyes”, I ran to the telephone and called the doctor.
He said he would meet me at Children’s Medical Center. How could I get to Dayton? Could Mary stay with the children?
Could I get her there alone? What if she dies on the way?
I struggled to get her out of bed and on her feet. She was so lethargic and didn’t want to get up. Somehow, I got her into
the hallway. I looked up and there was her Dad coming toward us. He picked her up and put her into the back seat of the
car. As we pulled away I glanced back at the house. Karen and Meghan were standing and waving on the front porch. It
was the last time they ever saw their big sister alive.
On that hot Saturday afternoon, August 2, 1980, confusion reigned at the Children’s Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio. There
had been a rash of admissions to the emergency room and it was more than two hours before Dr. C. was advised that his
patient was there. During that time Julie became more incoherent and couldn’t even tell me her name. A young resident
shocked me when he asked if she might have somehow obtained “drugs”. Julie was thrashing about in the bed and was so
uncooperative that the nurse had to restrain her to draw blood and start an IV infusion. Her behavior was so uncharacteristic of the little girl we knew and loved. At one point she even bit my hand. I remember that suddenly Dr. C. appeared at the
foot of her bed. He said nothing, turned away and left the room.
It was no more than ten minutes before Dr. C. returned accompanied by another doctor dressed in casual clothes. He introduced us to Dr. Steve, a specialist in gastroenterology, who recently came to Dayton from Emory University Hospital in
Atlanta. He quickly examined Julie and asked if I had given her aspirin. Confused by the question I answered, “Not since
last Monday…for her sore throat and fever”. He then said that he had the results of the blood work and she had Reye’s
Syndrome. I backed away…so stunned by those words he might as well have hit me with a baseball bat. The illness I knew
killed a number of children in Michigan two years ago. The illness that is so rare I believed it could never happen to one of
my children. Aspirin? ASPIRIN? What did aspirin have to do with it? Terrified, I watched as they rushed her to ICU.
Time stood still. It was an eternity before Dr. Steve came out to the waiting room. He was cautiously optimistic and explained that she was in Stage II… but was not in coma. She was receiving mannitol, a drug to reduce the swelling in her
brain and carefully regulated IV fluids to keep her hydrated. At present he did not feel it necessary to insert an intracranial
pressure monitor. The nurse told us that we could not stay with her as she might become more agitated. We could visit for
ten minutes on the hour, every hour. But she must be frightened. I wanted to see her, comfort her, love her. How could I
possibly “agitate” her?
We stretched out on the couches and waited…each interminable hour. At five o’clock on Sunday morning, August 3rd, my
restless sleep was disturbed by a clap of thunder. I hurried to the intercom and asked to see Julie. When I entered the unit
I was devastated by what I saw and heard…a rasping sound from her throat…large, fixed and dilated pupils…decerebrate
rigidity. The nurse was across the room. I called to her for help.
On Monday, August 4, 1980 at 6:00 P.M., one week after the onset of a mild viral infection, Julie was removed from life
support. In the twenty minutes that her heart remained beating, I placed my hand in the palm of her hand. I told her that
when I let go, her grandmother would be there to show her the way to God. And He would forever hold her in the palm of
His hand.
Page 15
BRIEF
BUT
BRIGHT...
This story is about a boy whose flame was brief, but bright. His name was Donny and he was seven years old.
Donny attended a private Christian school and at this young age he already had an enormous love for God and
his family. He had beautiful blue eyes and a heart as big as they come.
Donny was the oldest of the children and although he was so very young, he was his mother’s rock. She did
not understand the extent of his faith and strength until later. Donny’s mother hemorrhaged while giving birth
to her third child and had to have a blood transfusion after the delivery. When she found out that she was
expecting again (fourth child), she learned that the blood transfusion that had saved her life when delivering
her third child, had an antibody that would cause severe anemia in the fetus she was now carrying. Donny’s
parents were frightened and sad. However, the doctor shared that unless the baby’s father had the same
antibody as the blood donor, there would not be a problem. They were hopeful because only one out of ten
men had this antibody – so the odds were with them that the baby would be healthy. Unfortunately this optimism did not last because the baby’s father’s blood test showed that he did have this same antibody.
The doctor told Donny’s mother that her body would try to abort the baby in the second trimester and most
likely she would not carry the baby to term. Donny’s mother took monthly blood tests to determine the status
of her condition. A few days later, she would call to get the results and every month she was blessed by the
good news that she and her baby were holding their own. After a very long and anxious pregnancy, Donny’s
mother was finally in her ninth month. The doctor was very optimistic about delivering a healthy baby – it
looked liked they had beat the unlikely odds.
Two weeks before the baby was to arrive, Donny developed the stomach flu and missed a few days of school.
He would start to feel better and then start vomiting again. This illness was not unlike many other bouts of flu
that Donny’s mother had experienced with all of her children. During his illness, Donny’s mother went to his
school for a teacher conference and to pick up the assignments that he had missed. The teacher asked her
how was she doing and if everything was now safe for the baby. Donny’s mother was surprised by the
teacher’s questions, as she had not shared this information with her. The teacher added that she knew about
her condition because Donny asked his classmates to pray for his mother and the baby everyday during the
entire pregnancy. Donny’s mother smiled because now in her ninth month, she knew the children’s prayers
had been answered.
Six days later, Donny was still vomiting off and on when his mother decided to take him to the doctor to be
sure that he was not getting dehydrated. The doctor stated that he just had the flu, but to continue to watch
for dehydration. The doctor prescribed some suppositories (Tigan) to help slow down Donny’s nausea and
said this would help him rest. Donny’s mother was relieved because they were both very tired from a very
restless week.
Donny was given one suppository that morning, as directed, and was put to bed to rest. This assurance by the
doctor was short-lived because Donny became very irritable and combative as the evening progressed. Donny
got out of bed yelling and clawed at the carpet. His mother had to hold him down because he was fighting
and trying to bite her. The boy with a heart of gold had become an animal. Donny passed out and his parents
wrapped him in a blanket and rushed him to the emergency room. The ER staff was not sure what was wrong
with Donny and suggested that they fly him to the nearest children’s hospital.
Donny’s parents had to drive to this hospital because they were not allowed to fly with him in the helicopter.
Although the miles were not many, the drive was a lifetime. The doctor at the children’s hospital examined
Donny, who was still unconscious. He told the parents that “they would have a new boy in the morning”, he
just needed to sleep off the medicine that he had been given for the nausea. The doctor stated it was too
large of a dose for his age, but that he would be fine.
Fine did not happen. Donny never regained consciousness. Almost 36 hours after Donny was taken to the
emergency room, this seven year old boy who just had the stomach flu, was declared brain dead. The doctors
had tried to control the swelling in his brain, but they never understood what had caused it. Donny’s parents
had to make the hardest decision of their lives – take him off the machine that was keeping him alive
(breathing). Donny’s parents were later told that it appeared Donny had Reye’s Syndrome, an often misdiagnosed condition that is rare, but often fatal if not treated immediately.
Donny’s mother had her last doctor’s appointment with the obstetrician before her scheduled c-section the
day following his death. Her doctor came into the exam room with a puzzled look on his face, as he held the
results of her final blood test which was taken the previous week. The doctor stated that he did not understand it, but the antibody that they had been watching so closely throughout her pregnancy was no longer
evident. It was gone and he had no answer as to why.
Donny’s parents looked at each other and with tears streaming down her face she told the doctor she knew
why. She shared that her son, who was now in heaven, prayed for the good health of his soon to be sibling.
Donny’s mother delivered an 8 pound 3 ounce healthy baby boy the following week. The child, who was never
supposed to thrive in his mother’s womb, came to this family at a time when they desperately needed a blessing from above.
Many years and memories later, Donny is still very much in his mothers heart. His flame was brief, but bright.
Page 16
Louis D. Pettine 1941 – 2009
“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope
for.” - Addison
Louis Pettine is the embodiment of this little quote. Something to do; where does one start?
Lou was a retired Southeastern Regional Transit Authority Administrator, community leader and volunteer, who
spent most of his life helping others. A 1966 Bryant College graduate, he was a Co-Founder and past President,
Vice President, and Trustee for various Reye’s Syndrome Chapters and Organizations. Before his death he was
a member of the Fall River Country Club, Elks, and Westport Yacht Club (past treasurer). He is a former member
of: MA Assoc. of Regional Transit Administrators, B.M.C. Durfee High School Parents Advisory Committee (past
President), James Tansey P.T.O. (past Treasurer), American Division of Little Leagues (past Vice-President),
Commission for Homeless (past Vice-Chairman), Mayor’s Neighborhood Task Force, Milliken-Silva Basketball
League Scholarship Committee (past Chairman), National Assoc. of Foster Grandparent Directors, Fall River
Alcoholism Council, and Community Housing Resource Board (Chairman, Personnel Committee). He also found
time to coach Little League, PAL Girl’s Softball and be a candidate for the Fall River City Council.
Something to love; back in the mid 1970’s when so little was known about Reye’s Syndrome, Louis, and his wife
Susan, lost their 4 year old son Michael, to Reye’s Syndrome. When Michael became sick and ended up in the
hospital, they could not believe nor understand what was happening. They could not believe there was no
known cause, or cure, or proven treatment for Reye’s Syndrome. They were shocked to learn some families lost
more than one child to Reye’s Syndrome. When informed there were no known parents to talk with whose
children had suffered from Reye’s Louis and Susan realized how truly alone they were. They were beyond
frightened and frustrated at, not only their own helplessness, but at the apparent helplessness of the medical
professionals. While angered so little was known about Reye’s, they were also petrified it could strike out at
their remaining two children. Out of their love for Michael, their two remaining children, Jeff and Amy, and
millions of other children, Louis and Susan were determined to do something. They wanted other children to
have a better chance of surviving. They needed to find a way to educate parents, doctors, nurses and medical
professionals, seek funding for research to find a cure, and to create a network where parents dealing with the
loss of a child due to Reye’s Syndrome could come together and share their grief.
Something to hope for; 24 hours after the Pettines buried their son, John Dieckman’s son, 775 miles away,
began to manifest Reye’s Syndrome symptoms. Judith and Jim Crawford’s son was also a Reye’s Syndrome
patient in the same hospital. Both boys lost their lives to the disease. The Crawfords traveled to Boston a
month later, and while there, began to ask questions about Reye’s Syndrome. They were directed to another
young parent in the area; Lou Pettine. Lou and Jim agreed to begin working on ways to stimulate public
awareness of Reye’s Syndrome. Jim said he knew of one other Reye’s Syndrome parent who might be
persuaded to join the effort; John Dieckman. Together, Pettine, Crawford, and Dieckman became 3 founding
trustees chartering in Michigan the Reye’s Syndrome Association, in 1976. In 1985, the Michigan Foundation
merged with the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation chartered in 1974 in Bryan, Ohio. Lou would travel all
over, helping other parents form groups to promote awareness, and create funding for Reye’s Syndrome
research. His most beloved role with the Foundation was being there for other parents as they stood helpless
while their child battled Reye’s Syndrome. Lou’s other role in the Foundation was to obtain the largest amount
of awareness exposure through newspapers and publications, and to assist in advising the public regarding this
effort. In addition, he was responsible for handling all financial aspects relative to expenditures of proposed
activities. He also crusaded for, and was successful in, having a law passed in Massachusetts requiring the
reporting of Reye’s Syndrome cases to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.
Something to do, something to love, something to hope for…. Louis’ ceaseless promotion of Reye’s Syndrome
awareness saved millions of children’s lives over the past 33 years, and the monies he helped raise funded vital
research that linked aspirin products to Reye’s Syndrome. He helped lay the foundation for the Reye’s
Syndrome warning label to be added to all aspirin products. Louis was blessed, and we were all the better for
his being here among us. He will be missed.
Shirley Dettlebach
Shirley Dettlebach and her husband Marvin were both staunch supporters of the National Reye's Syndrome
Foundation, and active participants since first learning of the Foundation in the 1980's. Shirley and Marvin
owned several McDonald franchises in Northwest Ohio, and were responsible for several large grants to
the NRSF from both the McDonald Corporation and from Ronald McDonald Children's Charities. Grants
that funded the annual Superintendent's Mailing in 1992, which sent Reye's Syndrome literature to 16,500
school districts Nationwide. Grants were given to develop brochures and PSA's about Reye's Syndrome, all
supported by Shirley and Marvin Dettlebach. Although the couple's children were not affected by Reye's
Syndrome, they felt passionately about Reye's Syndrome Awareness and Research programs.
Marvin passed away a few years back, and Shirley passed away in February of 2009. She and Marvin both
will be missed.
“Every parent who loses a
child to Reye’s Syndrome
wants to know why their
child died, and what could
have been done to prevent
their child’s death. Lou
didn’t get the pleasure of
knowing a cause and a cure
for Reye’s had been
discovered before his
death,” says his wife,
Susan. “I’m hoping the
cause, cure, and maybe
prevention of Reye’s
Syndrome will be found in
my remaining children’s
lives.”
Page 17
MY BROTHER JOHN...
My brother, John LoCascio, was a great kid. He was a Boy Scout, altar boy, interested in the Civil War, and
liked to build models. He was very compassionate and wise beyond his years. (He was 15 1/2 years old)
On November 19,1977,Reye's Syndrome claimed his life. It started as a virus. My mom kept him home from
school. She gave him Jell-o and no aspirin, but he seemed to get worse, On Tuesday, Nov. 15,he was admitted
to Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. By Thursday, Nov. 17, an operation was performed to
remove the frontal cranium as the brain needed room to expand. Our doctor, told us it was Reye's Syndrome,
which I had read about the previous year. I knew the prospects were not good, but I prayed for a miracle.
John passed away on Nov. 19, 1977. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him or what might have been. It
was a great loss for our family and we support the NRSF in the hope one day a cure will be found.
Submitted by John’s sister;
Connie Quigley.
The funeral for John was one of the worst things a family has to endure. My last memory of John was at the
hospital, seeing him on a block of ice to keep his body cool and his head was bandaged. This was shortly before his death. We received lots of love and support from family and friends and our high school had a memorial service for him. It was beautiful.
There is really nothing to add except to spread the word about Reye's. I wear the pin and hand out brochures
to people who ask about it. After so many years, many still do not know about Reye's Syndrome. Let us put an
end to this medical mystery!
This is just one of the many, many moving and heartfelt stories submitted to the NRSF by parents,
grandparents, siblings and loved ones. These stories also appear in our 35 Year Commemorative book, now
published and available for order. A sneak peek at some of the pages follows.
The book is broken out into 3 main
areas; Awareness, which
encompasses all the people, places
and events that created Awareness
across the United States over the past
35 years. Research; Every bit of
research and each researcher is a part
of this section of the book—both
biographies and Research Papers
published are all here. The third
section of the book carries the heart
through the stories submitted by
parents, grandparents, siblings and
loved ones of Reye's Syndrome
victims. Lastly, the final pages pay
tribute to any and all whose life was
touched by Reye's Syndrome. The
book will have an ISBN and will be
copyrighted and housed in the Library
Page 18
IN THE NEWS...
POSSIBLE NEW TWIST IN REYE'S SYNDROME CASES IN REGARD
TO H1N1?
In conversation with a CDC representative early in
November, 2009, it was noted that “the situation with
Reye’s Syndrome today is fortunately strikingly different
from the 1970s and early 1980s when we experienced
clear outbreaks of aspirin-associated cases of Reye’s
Syndrome in temporal association with increased
influenza activity.”
The CDC representative further stated that between the
NRSF’s and the CDC’s initiative to get the word out
about not treating children with influenza-like
illnesses with aspirin has gotten out to health care
workers and the public “even if many do not necessarily
understand the rationale behind this message.”
hearing of clear aspirin-associated Reye’s Syndrome
cases.”
There was a report from Minnesota about a "Reye’s
Syndrome-like" illness in a child who did not have a
history of salicylate exposure, along with one child in
Illinois, and one in Indiana. None of the children
survived.
Reports of Reye's Syndrome following H1N1 have been
reported to the Foundation from other countries such
as France, Italy, Great Britain, and Indonesia. In France,
we are told, the doctor actually prescribed aspirin for
the child’s fever.
“The influenza branch folks here at CDC who are
monitoring influenza-related deaths in children are
A MORE VIRAL STRAIN OF H1N1 BEING SEEN ABROAD?
The World Health Organization’s website reported on
November 4, 2009 that according to the Ministry of
Health of Ukraine, the country has now recorded more
than 250,000 cases of influenza-like illness, with 235
patients requiring intensive care. As of 2 November, 70
deaths from acute respiratory illness have been
reported.
As the pandemic virus has rapidly become the dominant
influenza strain worldwide, it can be assumed that most
cases of influenza in Ukraine are caused by the H1N1
virus.
At the request of the government, a multi-disciplinary
team of nine experts has been deployed by WHO and
arrived in Kyiv November 3rd. Team members will now
begin field investigations to characterize the clinical and
epidemiological features of the outbreak.
Many questions remain to be answered. The outbreak
in Ukraine may be indicative of how the virus can
behave in the northern hemisphere during the winter
season, particularly in health care settings typically
found in Eastern Europe.
Given the potential significance of this outbreak as an
early warning signal, WHO commends the government
of Ukraine for its transparent reporting and open
sharing of samples. In addition, the World Health
Organization predicts two more waves of flu,
including the bird flu, are expected in Ukraine.
Other news services in the region are reporting that
borders have been closed, as have schools and all
public functions where groups would gather. The news
services are reporting hemorrhagic pneumonia deaths
associated with H1N1, and some news services are
reporting high death rates.
In the United States, as well as other countries, we are
seeing the H1N1 transmission from human to animal, a
‘jumping of species’ with this H1N1 influenza.
For more information you can visit the WHO website at
www.who.int and www.cdc.gov.
A S P I R I N M I S U S E L I N K E D T O 1 91 8 PA N D E M I C D E AT H S ?
Is it possible that high doses of aspirin prescribed to treat patients during the 1918 influenza pandemic may have
actually increased the number of deaths?
Author Karen Starko states “The high case fatality rate especially among young adults…is incompletely understood.
Although late deaths showed bacterial pneumonia, early deaths exhibited extremely 'wet,' sometimes hemorrhagic
lungs.”
She goes on to suggest that high dose aspirin may have contributed, explaining that physicians of the day were not
aware that aspirin regimens in the 8g to 31g per day range are associated with hyperventilation and pulmonary
edema in 33 percent and 3 percent of recipients.
“Recently, pulmonary edema was found at autopsy in 46 per cent of 26 salicylate intoxicated adults. Experimentally,
salicylates increase lung fluid and protein levels and impair mucociliary clearance.” Starko cites the US Surgeon
General’s recommendation of aspirin use just before a spike in the number of deaths in 1918, and adds that if this
advice was followed “and if pulmonary edema occurred in 3 per cent of persons, a significant proportion of the deaths
may be attributable to aspirin.”
List of common drugs being
made in China;
Aciclovir – (Zovirax)
Advair
Adrenaline Hcl
Alfuzosin – (Uroxatral)
Allopurinol
Alprazolam – (Xanax)
Amikacin Sulfate
Aminophyline
Amiodarone Hydrochloride
Amlodipine
Ampicillin
Amoxicillin
Aspirin
Atropine
Avandia
Budesonide
Captopril
Cefixime
Carnosine
Carbamazepine
Cefotaxime – (Claforan)
Cephealexin – (Keflex, Keftab)
Chloramphenicol
Chlorpheniramine Maleate –
(Chlor-Trimeton, Piriton)
Cilexetil – (Atacand)
Clopidogrel Bisulfate – (Plavix)
Co-trimoxazole – (Septrin,
Bactrim)
Cytisine – (Tabex)
Enalapril – (Renitec, Vasotec)
Ibuprofen
Lamictal
Lipitor
Loratadine (Claritin, Lomilan,
Clarinase, Alavert, AllergyX)
Nitroglycerin
Ondansetron – (Zofran)
Paracetamol
Penicillin
Prednisone
Propranolol
Zantac
Salbutamol
Valtrex
Trimethoprim
Tamoxifen
Sulfamethoxazole
Sucralfate – (Carafate)
Ribavirin – (Copegus, Rebetol,
Ribashere, Vilona, Virazole)
Propecia
Promethazine Hydrochloride –
(Phenergan, Romergan,
Fargan, Avomine)
Phenformin Hydrochloride
Paclitaxel
Oxybutinin
Oxandrolone
Nifedipine (Adalat, Nifedical,
Procardia)
Moexipril – (Univasc)
Metronidazole
Mycophenolate Mofetil
Norfloxacin
Ofloxacin Lovastatin
Letrozole
Glyceryl Trinitrate
Glibenclamide (Diabeta,
Flynase, Micronase)
This is not a complete list.
Page 18
TALK
ABOUT
CONFUSING HEADLINES….
... 80 percent of drugs sold in the US include ingredients from China, India and other countries - anything from
aspirin to antibiotics. ...
Most people do not realize that in the USA, Aspirin kills just as many people per year as Heroin...
Taking aspirin once a year could reduce your chance of developing stomach cancer, according to researchers...
Investigation suggests that aspirin may one day help treat liver damage...
American Heart Association recommends Plavix therapy instead of aspirin therapy for those heart...
Aspirin does not reduce the risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal ...
One-hundred mg of aspirin was not effective for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in otherwise healthy, American
women ...
Researchers looked carefully at the results of all the studies and found no good evidence that aspirin helps prevent
strokes in people who have already had ...
Aspirin will make your migraine headache better. If your headache is severe, it will reduce the pain but may not get
rid of it ...
Humans form their own version of aspirin's active principle, known as salicylic acid, when the drug breaks down in
the body. ...
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels are lower in men who take aspirin, according to findings presented at...
He mentioned the popular Paracetamol and Aspirin tablets as not always too good for the relief of pains...
My doctor advised me to take aspirin every day to prevent a heart attack or stroke, but a recent report suggested it
didn't work. ...
Carriers of Lynch syndrome assigned to aspirin, resistant starch or both for up to four years had no decrease in the
likelihood of developing colorectal ...
Aspirin hardly works for anybody. Antibiotics are just as effective as placebos. Insulin doesn't affect diabetics. If
you've tried the method faithfully and ...
If you've had too much to drink, sleep will help repair the damage you've done to your body. Also, taking two aspirin
when you go to bed and when you get up ...
Long-term, low-dose aspirin does not prevent the development of clinical type 2 diabetes in initially healthy women,
according to the ...
A quick and easy fix but make sure you take them in moderation and be aware that aspirin and ibuprofen may upset
your already delicate stomach. ...
Aspirin does not last all night. True Facts. Also, it slows the metabolization of alcohol, which means you just stay
drunk longer. ...
More than half of the dangerous drug combinations included the use of aspirin or blood thinners such as warfarin...
Half of the drug interactions involved over-the-counter medications like aspirin or dietary supplements...
Some people use aspirin in water for their live Christmas trees, but pet owners should beware of this tradition. Just
drinking the water is bad for pets, ...
A large study out of Scotland has shown that aspirin and antioxidant supplements are ineffective in the primary
prevention of heart attacks...
A Creighton University researcher has found that Aspirin does not provide protection against a form of colorectal
cancer named after him, Lynch syndrome. ...
A recent study found that acupuncture was more effective for treating chronic headache pain than aspirin. ...
Stomach ulcers caused by aspirin and ibuprofen are common causes of a GI bleed...
Low-dose aspirin has been shown to decrease stroke risk in women over 45 and may prevent migraines too...
Your pet's life and health could be at risk from drinking aspirin-laced water...
Aspirin a day may not keep heart attacks away...
Daily low-dose aspirin did not reduce the risk for cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes compared
with patients who did not receive aspirin ...
Aspirin could treat prostate cancer - or just mask symptoms...
Low-dose aspirin may not reduce CV events risk in diabetics...
Routine use of Aspirin or ibuprofen could cut the likelihood of developing breast cancer...
Aspirin May Not Be Protecting You From A Heart Attack...
An aspirin a day won't keep a heart attack away - unless you've already survived one, according to doctors ...
Diabetics who take aspirin to prevent heart attacks could be putting themselves at a heightened risk for internal
bleeding, a new study suggests. ...
Two more ways to reduce colon cancer risk: vitamin D and aspirin...
A daily aspirin taken to ward off heart attacks could do more harm than good, researchers warn yesterday...
Another commonly used medicine that may help prevent skin cancer (as well as others) is aspirin...
Aspirin has not been proven to protect the heart in healthy women younger than 65 years of age...
Aspirin can cause metabolic acidosis, a condition which can lead to coma and death...
Aspirin has been shown to prevent atherosclerosis, however, the mechanisms of action have remain a mystery...
Research shows aspirin can stop early cancers developing...
Foods containing salicylates may trigger symptoms in people who are sensitive to aspirin. ...
An aspirin-like drug discovered 132 years ago may prove to be a powerful weapon against type 2 diabetes...
For some persons known to have asthma, taking aspirin precipitates bronchial spasm…
Aspirin is no wonder drug say experts...
What -is- this drug they
call Aspirin?
Why so much
controversy?
Why so many
contradictions?
Why so many
headlines?
“Aspirin is no wonder
drug say experts…”
Reading this confusing
and contradictory list of
headlines leads one to
wonder why this drug is
not regulated and doled
out by prescription
only….
And now it is coming
to us from China, India,
and other 3rd World
Countries?
What’s gone wrong
here?
NATIONAL REYE’S SYNDROME FOUNDATION
PO Box 829
Bryan, OH 43506
NON-PROFIT ORG.
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Fall 2009
If you haven’t become a member of the National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation and would like to, simply fill in the following information, designate
your membership level, along with your membership fee and mail it to; NRSF, PO Box 829, Bryan OH 43506-0829 or pay online using your Visa or
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