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Cartwheels for a Cure

David and Andrea Piercey took a little inspiration from the ALS ice bucket challenge that has taken social media by storm ... and literally flipped it!

FRIENDS OF FPWR SPOTLIGHT

We've flipped for this fundraising idea!

David and Andrea Piercey of Massachusetts took a little inspiration from the ALS ice bucket challenge that has taken social media by storm...and literally flipped it!  Just last month, Dave and Andrea introduced Cartwheels for A Cure: Find a Flippin' Cure for Prader-Wili syndrome. Using their creativity, a new Facebook account, and their friends, the Piercey family has raised thousands of dollars while inspiring awareness of PWS, and having a little fun. The campaign is simple - do a cartwheel, flip, or a somersault ON CAMERA, commit to making a $10 donation to support Prader-Willi syndrome research, then post your video to your Facebook page and challenge your friends to do the same!

The campaign was inspired by the Piercey's 8 month old daughter, Maya, who was diagnosed with PWS at birth. Recently, Andrea shared why she is so passionate about fundraising for PWS research:

"I guess that I probably come off as a very persistent fundraiser...Maya was born with so much more than PWS.  Genetics wasn't even considering PWS because she had so many midline issues that don't align with it, so they were completely surprised to find that deletion on the 15th chromosome… as were we. So, I am the crazy mom that is persistent in bring attention and raising money for this monster… because some day, Maya will (hopefully) have all these physical defects done and taken care of...When that day happens, I want as many obstacles that can be eliminated to be eliminated… like I'm sure we all do! So, that's why I come up with a new thing every once in awhile to harass all those around me. If you are newly diagnosed (and you are comfortable sharing your story with your friends and family), you will find that people want to do something to help."

Thank you Andrea and Dave for putting your passion to work and becoming champions for FPWR.  We applaud your creativity and commitment! By working together, we will free our loved ones from the burdens of PWS, allowing them to lead full and independent lives.

Topics: Research

Susan Hedstrom

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Susan Hedstrom is the Executive Director for the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. Passionate about finding treatments for PWS, Susan joined FPWR in 2009 shortly after her son, Jayden, was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Rather than accepting PWS as it has been defined, Susan has chosen to work with a team of pro-active and tireless individuals to accelerate PWS research in order to change the future of PWS. Inspired by her first FPWR conference and the team of researchers that were working to find answers for the syndrome, she joined the FPWR team in 2010 and led the development of the One SMALL Step walk program. Under Susan’s leadership, over $15 million has been raised for PWS related research.