Hello everyone,

We are gearing up and making a difference by fundraising for a cause that's close to our hearts. Rosalie is our nearly 3 year old daughter who at the age of 1 was diagnosed with a neurogenetic condition called Angelman Syndrome. 

What is Angelman Syndrome you ask? AS is a rare neurogenetic disorder that affects approximately one in 15,000 people – about 500,000 individuals worldwide. Children and adults with AS typically have impaired motor and balance, and debilitating seizures. Some individuals never walk. The majority do not speak. Disrupted sleep cycles also can be a serious challenge to the individual and caregivers. Individuals with AS require continuous care and are unable to live independently. They have a normal life expectancy. People with Angelman syndrome have some distinct behavioural traits, including a happy demeanour, characterised by frequent laughing, smiling and excitability. Many individuals with AS have a fascination with water and take great pleasure in activities like swimming. 

Rosalie is the light of our lives, she has taught us about unconditional love, patience and not to sweat the small stuff - we truly are blessed to be her parents and want to make sure we do everything in our power to make a difference. 

With your help, we CAN cure Angelman syndrome. Please join us in our 2021 FAST Australia Cure Angelman Now (CAN) campaign by sharing our message, making a donation, or both.

In the United States, research funded by FAST identified a way to turn on a gene that is normally turned off in the brain. FAST US took this discovery and started its own biotechnology company to move this technology from the laboratory into human clinical trials. Trials were initiated in 2020 and early preliminary results suggest this therapeutic may effectively treat the symptoms of Angelman syndrome.

We have more exciting news - this approach is just one of the ways FAST is leading the efforts to develop effective treatments for Angelman syndrome. FAST funds multiple programs aimed at developing therapeutics to treat the root cause of Angelman syndrome as well as therapeutics that may treat certain symptoms. In Australia, FAST funds the Global Angelman Syndrome Registry, the largest collection of information of Angelman syndrome data in the world, a very powerful tool in the development, assessment and ultimate accessibility of therapeutics for Angelman syndrome. We are also working tirelessly to ensure promising clinical trials and the very best standard of care can be accessed by Australian families, in Australia.  In fact, FAST Australia is the only funder of Angelman specific research in this country and they rely on grass roots donors like us & you to support these ground breaking programs.

In acknowledgement of International Angelman Syndrome Day (15 February 2021), all donations received by 11:59pm (AEST) Monday, 15 February 2021 will go into the draw to win the below prizes:

• Luxurious two night getaway at Amani House Healesville (valued at $1600)
• CBA sponsored - Victorian Bushranger Cricket Team signed shirt
• Sgfleet sponsored - Framed 2020 Brumbies Ruby shirt with certificate of authentication 
• Deji Designs - 20 x FAST bespoke earrings (valued at $20 each)
• Doterra oil diffuser and essential oils pack (valued at $301)
• pro•m•emo Essences Kit (valued at $107.70) and Jivana organic embrace tea (valued at $38)
• AO the label - top and bottom Atacama sets x 2 (valued at $179.90 each) 
• Shhh Silk - 100% Pure 22 Momme High Grade 6A Mulberry Silk pillowcases (valued at $185)
• Miss Fleurtisan - soy candle and bespoke preserved floral arrangement (valued at $130)
• Vans Sk8-Hi shoes (US 4.0 Men/ US 5.5 Women, valued at $139.99)
• Bespoke Canvas painting
• Restaurant vouchers (Merah and Kingsland Chinese Restaurant)
• Village Cinemas - double movie passes x 5 (donated by Bupa)
• 2 x $100 Grocery vouchers (Dalat and Coles)
• $200 Costco voucher
• Not your average box – handcrafted grazing box to cater for all dietary needs (valued at $200)
• Children sensory and small world kits (Aston and Axil valued at $40 each)
• Bayside Health & Fitness - 5 outdoor passes (Brighton) & 5 indoor passes (Caulfield) (valued at $125 each)
• Personal Training sessions with Chanty Lee - 3 x 45 minute personal training sessions (valued at $55 each)
• Mycro nutrition consultation with Josh Chang - 2 x 30 minute nutrition consults (valued at $60 each)

Winners will be announced on Tuesday, 16 February 2021.

We look forward to sharing amazing updates and progress with you throughout the year and we thank you for assisting us to Cure Angelman Now.

Please help us reach this goal. Thank you in advance for your generosity.