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HISTORY OF CHELSEA'S HOPE In 2007, Chelsea's Hope was born of love, frustration, sadness, fear and ultimately HOPE. As we, Chelsea's parents, watched Chelsea lose more and more of herself to a disease that is merciless and ultimately totally devastating, we realized to passively sit and watch our child slowly die was not an option. Out of our helplessness to battle this incurable disease alone, we sought the world's leading experts. Out of our desperation, isolation, and need to communicate, we sought the internet. Out of our powerless feeling and our need to be empowered, we created Chelsea's Hope Lafora Children Research Fund. Within this community, sorrow and grief was shared, information was gained, families bonded, friendships blossomed and together we are empowered with hope. WHAT IS LAFORA Lafora Disease, also called Lafora Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy, is a rare progressive and degenerative form of epilepsy that strikes children usually between the ages of nine and fourteen. Symptoms become increasingly worse within a short period of time, and include grand mal and absence seizures, myoclonic jerks, cognitive decline, difficulty walking (ataxia), severe hallucinations and dementia, eventually leading to death within ten years of onset. It currently has no cure. Alternative content			"SAVE THE DATE!" Chelsea's Hope 2nd Annual Fundraiser Sunday September 26, 2010 Blackhawk Automotive Museum Danville, California PLEASE JOIN US! For details to Sponsor, Donate or Attend...click here First Annual Fundraiser - May 2009 It was standing room only as 125 friends, past and present joined the Gerber Family for a few hours of reconnection, information, auction items, delicious appetizers and wine..... To read more click here.

Lafora Research Searching for a cure... "My laboratory has discovered the genes that cause Lafora disease. We called these genes EPM2A and EPM2B..." read the update June 2010: Research Update from Dr. Escueta Dr. Antonio Delgado-Escueta's team continues to maintain the Lafora disease mouse colony at the VA Medical Center in West Los Angeles. This mouse model continues to be used to improve our understanding of the disease mechanisms of Lafora epilepsy and can also be used for drug trials and gene replacement therapy. . . read more Gentamicin Study: Use of an antibiotic called Gentamicin to treat patients with Lafora Epilepsy. Are you eligible? Read for more info...	Lafora Children The stories of children with Lafora Chelsea Gerber Jessica Faludi Kristen Rice Matthew DeSimas Jake Buie Abdul Ali Kris and Angel Adela Richer Diane Victoria Gellel Amanda Gellel Lucy Terceira John Sharp Douglas Jacob Lucken Sonam Ahmed Shamoan Ahmed Amarah Ahmed Jessica Ambroe Taylor Nicole Mankins Elisa Brackin Tatjana Gajic Milana Gajic Rebecca Cotton		Jess's Army has Joined Chelsea's Hope and together we are going to win this battle... Already, Michele (Jess's mother) and her many friends have impacted Chelsea's Hope. Please read about the Pennsylvania fundraisers that have been sponsored on behalf of Jess. read more about Jess's Army