Future Blood Test for Niemann-Pick C

Diagnosis of NPC May Soon be Done Via Blood Test

Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC) may soon be diagnosed with a simple blood test, according to a report from the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, published recently in Science Translational Medicine.

Dr. Dan Ory of Washington University, and the chair of the NNPDF's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), is one of the report's authors, along with Dr. Forbes "Denny" Porter, of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), also on the NNPDF's SAB; and Nicole Yanjanin, R.N., NIH, and on the NNPDF's Board of Directors; and others.

Visit Newswise for the complete story and video clip, which features Dr. Ory along with Nancy and Art Sullivan, parents of Karen Sullivan, who passed away from NPC in 2004, at the age of 33.

For more information about Niemann-Pick Disease and recent research news, visit the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation at www.nnpdf.org.

Carnival Raises Funds in Memory of Karen Sullivan

Jason, Sarah and Abby Sullivan, ages 10, 7 and 5, respectively, organized and held a backyard carnival to raise funds for the NNPDF in memory of their aunt, Karen Sullivan, who died in 2004 as a result of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC).

After several weeks of planning, the children made signs and posters to advertise and invite their friends and neighbors to come for games, prizes, and food.

The whole family got involved as one grandma made funnel cakes and another ran the bean bag toss, while the two grandpas ran the golf game and served as the event photographer. The late-summer heat wave even broke in time for a perfect evening, and the neighborhood was very supportive, raising almost $500 for the fight against NPD!

Jason, Sarah and Abby are the children of Kevin and Jean Sullivan and the grandkids of Art and Nancy Sullivan of Chesterfield, Missouri. Nancy recently retired from the NNPDF Board of Directors and Art serves on the NNPDF's Finance Committee.

Thank you, Jason, Sarah and Abby, and the entire Sullivan family!

To see more photos from the carnival, and to read about other family fundraisers advancing the Quest for a Cure, visit the NNPDF's Upcoming Events page.