Fall 2012

Fall 2012 Message From The NRSF President

We have spent a lot of time this year, as always, on Reye’s Syndrome Awareness projects. We had several Reye’s cases reported, both here in the United States and from other countries. Several cases, are several too many! All we can do is continue to spread awareness and work hard at educating as many people as we can in an effort to save lives.

Spreading awareness and educating new parents, caregivers, and medical professionals not only requires a lot of time, it also requires support.

Issues that are rising include:

• Parents are not immunizing their children, and this can potentially
  create an epidemic of viral infections like measles, chickenpox,
  and whooping cough returning to plague our youngsters. Viral
  infections that were once almost wiped out are coming back
  around because new parents and caregivers are confused about
  immunizations.
• H1N1 flu, and new mutating flu strains, are evolving and circling
  the globe. We are not immune, and neither are our children.
  Bird Flu found its way to the North American Continent this
  summer, and Mexico killed millions of chickens and other fowl to
  attempt to contain the virus. The question lingers, did they
  contain the virus?
• The Internet, with all its wonderful data, also perpetuates a host
  of incorrect information and a lot of it is about Aspirin and
  Aspirin use! There are facial mask recipes made of crushed
  aspirin tablets for teen-agers, and even people who challenge the
  existence of Reye’s Syndrome!
• Chickenpox Parties! Of all the things to subject a child to, one
  who has no choice in the matter—another child’s germs and
  body fluids! This one should make us all ill just thinking about it!

In all instances, the possibility of Reye’s Syndrome lurks in the background and many parents and caregivers still don’t know about this deadly monster.

So we educate, we provide awareness, and we attempt to reach as many as we possibly can. We hope you are doing the same thing. Our message, your message, can save a little one’s life! Speak Up, and Speak Out—Remind parents about Reye’s Syndrome!

We also congratulate NRSF spokesperson Dick Van Dyke on his Screen Actors Guild selection to receive the coveted Life Achievement Award. Dick will accept the award January 27 during the SAG Awards. His work with the NRSF and for Reye’s Syndrome will be highlighted during the presentation.

We also thank you, and hope you will continue to support the work that we do. We need your voice, and we need your membership. It all counts, and it all makes a huge difference!

Thank You for Caring.