1. “We’re looking forward to….a cure or a treatment.” John Tacket, age 15 Bay City Michigan (fatal gene) Progeria syndrome By Lauren Wilson

2. What is Progeria Syndrome? Progeria is an extremely rare and severe, genetic condition where a child ages very rapidly at a very young age. This syndrome occurs 1 in every 8 million children. The average child diagnosed with Progeria usually lives to be teenagers. Children usually die at age 13 with atherosclerosis. The longest a Progeria patient has lived is to 21.

3. Facts: There are 82 children being tested by the Progeria Research Foundation. Of all the side affects that a Progeria child has, their intellect is never an issue. First described by Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson in 1886 and Dr. Hastings Gilford in 1904. Other Progeriasyndromes include Werner's syndrome, also known as "adult progeria" which doesn’t have an affect until the late teen years, with a life span into the 40's and 50's.

4. Also known as: Gilford’s syndrome Hutchinson-Gilford progeria Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome Souques-Charcot syndrome (a variant of this syndrome) HGPS Werner Syndrome (adult Progeria)

5. Features of a Progeria patient: Dwarfism. Small face and jaw in relation to size of head. Delayed tooth formation. Wrinkled and aged-looking skin. Stiffness of joints. Hip dislocation. Baldness Pinched nose. Mental growth is equivalent to other children of the same age. Most children with Progeria live no longer than their early teenage years, though one or two have lived to be as old as 20 or 21. Generalized atherosclerosis and cardiovascular problems. Children suffering from this disease tend to have remarkably similar appearance in spite of being of different racial background.

6. “As a child everyone is told not to grow up to fast but what if physically, you did not have a choice?” Age 6 Age 13 Kristian Age 4

7. Progeria Cases “…these extraordinary children are intelligent, courageous, and full of life.” -PRF

8. Cameron Showed signs of Progeria when he was18-24 months old. Lives in Michigan. 1 of 15 children in the U.S. to be diagnosed.

9. Hayley Lives in the U.K. Only 2 cases known. Diagnosed at age 10.

10. Michiel & Amber Live in Belgium. Only siblings in the world. Michiel diagnosed at age 4, Amber at only 3 weeks old.

11. Treatments: Hydrotherapy Nutrini Pro-Cal Asprin Fluoride Vitamin E Snoezelen (Sensory Room)

13. Ways to Donate and get Involved.

14. Meet the kids, parents and doctors of Progeria.

16. Donations

17. Programs

18. Supporters

19. News

20. Volunteer Chapters“Together, we WILL find a cure.”

21. Works Cited http://manbir-online.com/diseases/progeria.htm http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Progeria+pictures&form=QBIL&qs=n&sc=1-17#focal=a2947f9f7bab7b396dd4cf93a14818e8&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.usatoday.com%2Fnews%2F_photos%2F2003%2F04%2F17-progeria-inside.jpg http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Progeria+pictures&form=QBIL&qs=n&sc=1-17#focal=ca4bbce8d72bcb48422c277ad1748da6&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unc.edu%2Fcourses%2F2004spring%2Fengl%2F012%2F070%2F90424%2Fimages%2Fhgps.jpeg http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Progeria+pictures&form=QBIL&qs=n&sc=1-17#focal=ca4bbce8d72bcb48422c277ad1748da6&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unc.edu%2Fcourses%2F2004spring%2Fengl%2F012%2F070%2F90424%2Fimages%2Fhgps.jpeg http://www.progeriaresearch.org/quick_facts.html http://hayleyspage.com/gallery.htm