Prader-Willi Syndrome In The Spotlight

Dear PWSA (USA) members,

We are excited to announce that there will be two upcoming major programs featuring Prader-Willi syndrome starring two of our PWSA (USA) families!

Mystery Diagnosis (scheduled to appear March 22nd, 10 PM Eastern on Discovery Health Channel) has completed filming a program featuring Conor Heybach (on our Adults with PWS Advisory Board) and his parents Sue and John, who is co-chair of our PWSA governing board. This program has taken several months to complete and the producers are very pleased with the results. It will probably air in February or March. We will announce the date and details as soon as it is confirmed. The show runs on Mondays at 10:00 PM eastern time and is repeated frequently on Discovery Health. You can learn more about Mystery Diagnosis at http://health.discovery.com/fansites/mystery-diagnosis/mystery-diagnosis.html.

Another popular program, ADC's Extreme Makeover, (scheduled to appear May 2nd, 8 PM on ABC) is featuring one of our families. The Starkweather family is getting a new home this week, courtesy of thousands of volunteers and ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Amy and Toen Starkweather and their three sons — Jared, 15, Ryan, 13, and Ethan, 9, PWS — just found out that they were chosen for the show. The show is expected to air sometime in March. To add to this story, a girl with cystic fibrosis who wanted to help another child with a major medical condition will be helping on this home. Learn more about Extreme Makeover at http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition.

Stay tuned for details. PWS Awareness Month is starting early this year!

Edited: 03/08/2010