CoRDS Cast

On this exciting episode of CoRDS Cast, Alyssa sits down with Sophia Zilber from the Cure Mito Foundation and Allison Peck from Cure VCP Inc. Sophia and Allison are both very strong advocates for their foundation and have done an amazing job recruiting to their registries. Tune in to learn how they have built their registries along with different strategies to make it successful. Enjoy!  Contact information: Sophia Zilber: email: sophia@curemito.org Website: https://www.curemito.org/ Allison Peck: email:  allison@curevcp.org Website: https://www.curevcp.org/ 

On this episode of CoRDS Cast, Alyssa sits down with Terry Thompson, Jameson Parker, Ed Meyertholen, and Chris Grunseich with the Kennedy’s Disease Association. Kennedy’s Disease is a defect in the ‘X’ Chromosome, and it makes testosterone almost a poison to the body. The disease is Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy; more commonly known as Kennedy's Disease. Please tune in to listen to each heart felt story, and why they are each involved in rare disease research today. If you would like more information on Kennedy's Disease or have any questions, please visit: https://www.kennedysdisease.org/  Enjoy!

On this month's episode of CoRDS Cast, Alyssa sits down with Kasey Woleben who is one of the founders of the Cure Mito Foundation, and Sophia Zilber who is the board member, patient registry director. Kasey and her family have started several non-profits to save their son, Will, and other children facing mitochondrial diseases like SURF1 Leigh syndrome.  Sophia has over 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical industry and is volunteering her expertise to help the rare disease community, in memory of her daughter, Miriam. In mitochondrial disorders, the mitochondria’s ability to convert food and oxygen into energy is impaired because of a genetic mutation in the DNA. There are over 100 different mutations that can cause this condition.  You will not want to miss the incredible story of these two families fighting to find a cure. To learn more about the Cure Mito Foundation, please visit: https://www.curemito.org/

Austin interviews the President & Founder of All Things Kabuki, Rene King, to learn more about the condition and what the group does to raise awareness and advocate for families living with Kabuki Syndrome.  Joining them in the interview is Olaf Bodamer, MD PhD FACMG FAAP.  Dr. Bodamer is the Director of the Roya Kabuki Program at Boston Children's Hospital and leads a team of dedicated scientists and professionals to nurture a better understanding of the disease and develop treatments to better the lives of Kabuki patients.

In this episode, Austin interviews Sharon Rose Nissley and Emily Lemiska from Klippel-Feil Syndrome Freedom about life with Klippel-Feil Syndrome and becoming patient advocates.  The group is also joined by Dr. Philip Giampietro, a medical geneticist and researcher, who has worked closely with both Sharon and Emily in their efforts to draw more of a research focus to Klippel-Feil Syndrome.  Thanks again for listening - enjoy!

Happy New Year from the CoRDS team! In this episode we interviewed Diane Powell, the CEO and board chair of the Hypersomnia Foundation. We also caught up with Dr. Lynn Marie Trotti, a sleep specialist and hypersomnia researcher. Together, they're working to uncover the cause of the disorder and improve the lives of everyone living with idiopathic hypersomnia. Enjoy!

In this episode, Alyssa and Austin interview Sue Hagen from long time CoRDS partner, the National Ataxia Foundation. You'll also hear from Lauren Moore, an ataxia researcher at the University of Michigan. Enjoy!

In this episode of CoRDS Cast we interview John Morris from the International WAGR Syndrome Association and learn about the great work his group is doing to raise money for research and to raise awareness for his daughter's disease. Later, we had the chance to speak with Dr. Kevin Francis about the rare disease research being done in his laboratory and to hear about his WAGR Syndrome studies.

In this episode, we interview Dan Brendtro, a passionate father who began raising money by running marathons for his daughter, who has been diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia. His path to launching The Finish Line Fund led him to a researcher studying FA right in his home town, Dr. Peter Vitiello. We were fortunate to sit down with both men and ask them about the project and how the experience has shaped their hopes for the future. Enjoy!

In this episode of CoRDS Cast, we sit down with Jennifer VanHoutan from Noah's Hope to hear about their work in Batten Disease advocacy and sponsored research. You'll also hear from Sanford's own Dr. Jill Weimer about her Batten Disease research program and about how animals play a role in finding answers and developing treatments. Enjoy!

In episode 2, we sit down with a handful of attendees at the 2018 Professional Patient Advocates in Life Sciences (PPALS) certificate training course held earlier in the summer. In part 2 of this episode, you'll hear interviews with Seth Rotberg from the Huntington Disease Youth Organization, Olivia Montano from the PROS Foundation, and Rob Long & Brett Brackett from Uplifting Athletes.

In episode 2, we sit down with a handful of attendees at the 2018 Professional Patient Advocates in Life Sciences (PPALS) certificate training course held earlier in the summer. In part 1 of this episode, we interview Erin Hill from the Muscular Dystrophy Association and two of the PPALS event organizers, Jean Campbell and David La Greca.

Introduction to the CoRDS Registry, Sanford Research, and an interview with the man behind it all, Dr. David Pearce.

On this episode of CoRDS Cast, Alyssa sits down with Becky from HODA (Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration Association). Becky is an amazing advocate in the rare disease space as her sister is diagnosed with HOD. Tune in to listen to her story. To learn more information on HOD, please visit: hodassoc.org

On this episode of CoRDS Cast, Ben and Polly sit down to discuss the recent updates to the CoRDS registry platform and our plans for future improvements. Enjoy! 

On this episode of CoRDS Cast, Ben sits down with Jacquelyn Stockdale who is the mother of Isla. Isla is an amazing child living with CLN3 Batten Disease. Isla first started having issues with her eyesight and was later on seen by an ophthalmologist. Later down the road, Isla was diagnosed with CLN3 Batten Disease. Due to Isla being diagnosis early, her family was able to really focus on strengthening every day. You will want to take time to listen to this amazing heartfelt podcast of Jacquelyn and her daughter Isla’s journey. To learn more about Isla’s story please visit: www.islasfaith.com Enjoy!

On this episode of CoRDS cast, Polly gets the pleasure of sitting down with Doug Strott. Doug is the founder/president of the Scheuermann’s Disease Fund and also has this condition. Scheuermann's Disease is a spinal (skeletal) disease that typically presents itself in children during adolescence.  It is often noted by an accentuated curvature, or "hunched back" and if left untreated, may lead to significant health complications later in life. Doug will discuss his condition along with how important it is to advocate for rare conditions like Schueremann’s Disease. To learn more about Schueremann’s Disease please visit https://www.sdfund1.org.  Enjoy! 

On this episode of CoRDS Cast, Alyssa sits down with Kathy Young who is a strong advocate for Myhre Syndrome and also has a daughter diagnosed with this condition. Kathy’s daughter was diagnosed with Myhre Syndrome seven years ago and at this time there was not an organization or group created for this condition. Being less than 200 diagnosed with this condition, Kathy started a Facebook group where she could connect with people diagnosed with Myhre Syndrome. Creating a Facebook group would later on help set up a Myhre clinic at Mass General Hospital.  Enjoy!

In our November edition of CoRDS Cast, Alyssa sits down with Kristie DeMarco who is the president and founder of the Global DARE Foundation. In 2019 Kristie was diagnosed with Refsum through genetic testing. In two years she went from an iron man triathlete to walking in constant pain along with losing peripheral vision and sense of smell. Refsum is a genetic disorder that affects the metabolism of Phytanic Acid which is found in foods like red meat, dairy, and fish. Symptoms of this condition include retinitis pigmentosa, loss of smell, hearing loss, neuropathy, ataxia, and itchy skin. Early diagnosis is critical to get the specific diet for Refsum to slow down symptoms.

We are starting off September with a very inspiring story of two fathers who have children with Cystinosis. On this episode of CoRDS cast, Alyssa sits down with  Clay Emerson and Stephen Jenkins. Clay is a father to 6 year old Brooke who was diagnosed with Cystinosis at just 16 months. Stephen is a father of two sons diagnosed with Cystinosis, Sam and Lars. Cystinosis is a rare genetic metabolic disease that causes the amino acid, cysteine, to accumulate within the body’s cells. The build-up can cause damage to the tissues and organs including the kidney, eyes, muscles, liver and brain. Tune in to hear about the journey that Clay and Stephen took to become strong advocates for their children and for the community.