Hi all,

I don't remember if I told you, my girlfriend Olga is an early mid-lifer who went back to college for her degree. She is studying Chemical Biology at Steven University here in NJ. She will be graduating with her BS in May and is hoping to work in the pharmaceutical industry (R&D, as she hopes to cure the world).

For her physiology class, she had to research and present on a significant health issue. Given all that I am going through, she has decided to present MM to her class. So, tomorrow evening, approximately 30 students and professors are going to hear all about MM. Just think, 30+ students who may go on to work in the pharmaceutical industry or become doctors are going to get a short education on MM.

Given that almost no one has heard of MM, I am extremely greatful that she picked this as her topic. Think about it, tomorrow evening there will be 30 new people who are aware of MM, not because they or friend/family member where diagnosised with MM, but because the were getting an education.

As an aside, her professor had never heard of MM.

I'm so proud of her.
Greg

Yeaaah for Olga! I think it's absolutely wonderful that she is taking advantage of this opportunity to spread the word about this "rare" disease.

If I may share, I was so upset at my 11 yr old son for taking forever to finish his English homework the other night.  He had to write a paper influencing someone to do something he felt passionate about.  I raised my voice for him to come into the room so I could check his work before I went to bed....and I couldn't believe what he wrote!  His letter was addressed to our Mayor.  I won't write his entire paper, but it started off like this...

"Dear Mr. Mayor,

I believe that there should be a cure for a rare disease that my mom has called Moyamoya...."  He went on to write about my surgery, etc.  ;)

I was so touched by it!  He could've picked anything in the whole wide world to write about, but he decided to write about Moyamoya! Your story about Olga reminded me of my son, as they both chose their opportunities to raise awareness of this disease!  Kudos!

Take care,
Shan

Greg,

That's AWESOME that Olga chose MM as her topic! [smiley=thumb.gif]  Good for her, and please extend my heartfelt thanks.  My motto has always been "one person at a time".  It may be slower than we'd like, but WE WILL change things!

Thanks for sharing, and my best to Olga during her presentation!

[smiley=hug.gif], Jill  

[smiley=sayyes.gif] [smiley=sayyes.gif] [smiley=sayyes.gif]

Greg -

Thanks for sharing!  Please extend my heart felt thanks to Olga and give her a big  [smiley=hug.gif] for me!  I hope she does really well in her presentation!

-Shari

;;DGreat news Greg,  Tell Olga we all love her :-*

But lets face it ::)  Didn't we all know that if a cure or treatment for moyamoya were to be found  it would come from New Jersey! [smiley=laugh.gif]

Stay well Tom G. ::) :o

Call me greg!

[smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Please send many thanks to Olga!!   [smiley=hug.gif]

That's great.....awareness is something that we all can't have enough of.  I'm so proud of anyone that will speak on our behalf...and tell others about this.  I explain to people who ask what happened to me.  On Kauai (the island I live on) it is so small that rumors spread like wildfire (One rumor was I was paralyzed from the shoulder down...truth is I had a little paralysis on my left-side).  One person can say something within a week or so it seems the whole island know about it.  That's what happpened to me....now people are asking what I have.  

It seems like I'm a broken record repeating myself but, at least I'm trying to let people know about MM.  Even if it's one person...they'll tell another.  Unfortunately I know the story will turn somehow and be something completely different.  [smiley=oops.gif]  [smiley=rolleyes2.gif]If anything I direct them to this website so the can read more about it.

HOORAY FOR AWARENESS!! [smiley=thumb.gif]

Thank you Greg and Olga [smiley=sayyes.gif]

Small Steps, Big Strides [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

It's great to have 30 medical/pharmaceutical folks as a captured audience to spread the word about moyamoya.

Big Thank You and Big Hug for Olga [smiley=hug.gif]

Lore

Sorry all,

I forgot to give you an update.

Olga's presentation went wonderfully well. He professor and classmates were impressed with her. Not surprisingly, none of them had heard of MM.

I think the greatest benefit of her presentation is that she now truely understands what I (we) are going through with the disease.

Olga sends her thanks for your wishes...and she sends a HUGE THANK YOU to DJ for this wonderful site, the information that it contains, and for bringing MM people together. DJ, I also need to add my thanks as well, as this site has truely been a blessing.

Best regards,
Greg

Greg,

Tell Olga......great job!!!  I love it when people are helping us to raise awareness.  I'm glad to know that everything went well with her presentation as well.  

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