Sunshine Foundation thrilled by new treatment for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS)
Foundation instrumental in bringing international attention to HGPS in the 1980s critical for new research

September 25, 2012 – 1041 Mill Creek Drive, Feasterville, PA 19053. Kate Sample, President of the Sunshine Foundation received exciting news last night about the “First-Ever Treatment for Hutchinson Guilford Progeria Syndrome” as announced by the Progeria Research Foundation and Boston Children’s Hospital.

Sunshine Foundation, the original wish granting organization, was instrumental in bringing attention to HGPS in the 1980s. At the time, very few people were aware that this disease existed as it occurs in only 1 out of every 12 Million births. Shortly thereafter, Bill Sample, the Foundation’s founder began to host annual reunions bringing together HGPS children from all over the world for fun and fellowship. The Foundation hosted 27 of these special events which had a goal to help alleviate the isolation and improve life’s outlook for HGPS children and their families.

According to Kate Sample, “The Sunshine Foundation is thrilled for the role it has played in offering insight about HGPS which led to the FDA approval of a farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) aiding the treatment of children with this often devastating disease.” The Foundation was able to offer significant anecdotal information to the Progeria Research Foundation about the children served in years passed allowing approval of the cancer drug Lonafarnib in the treatment of children with HGPS.