Press Room
Welcome to our Press Room! Thanks to the tremendous media interest and PRF’s outreach efforts, we have identified record numbers of children with Progeria, and gained many new supporters who have joined in our quest for the cure after seeing stories of children with Progeria on TV, on line and in newspapers and magazines. Others are moved to take action after learning of the tremendous progress PRF is making through research studies published in leading scientific journals. And the publicity surrounding the connection between Progeria, heart disease and the normal aging process has intrigued countless others worldwide, as people recognize that finding the cure for Progeria may end up helping the entire aging population.
“Hi. I’m John Tacket. I’m 15 years old, and I have Progeria, as you can see, and I’m very excited to be here and it is an honor to be the youth ambassador for Progeria. This is a very exciting time for me and also for my friends because we know what the gene is that makes our disease show up in us. This is the first step and we’re looking forward to the second step, a cure and treatment. But for now we just live our life . . . and do all the things kids do. No problem, I’m very content right now. Even though I have Progeria, some might think that I’d be down, but I’m not. This is great that the doctors are working and researching and I know they are working very hard. . . . This is a very exciting time.”
– John Tackett at the Progeria gene discovery announcement at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on April 16, 2003.
We receive many media inquiries from journalists and producers who are interested in developing their own stories to raise awareness of Progeria. If you are a member of the media and you would like to discuss a story idea that will help raise awareness and educate others about Progeria, please contact:
Michelle Fino
Mfino@progeriaresearch.org
978-535-2594
The following press releases detail the wonderful progress being made in Progeria research, thanks to the driving efforts of The Progeria Research Foundation:
Teachers and Students: Curriculum based on HBO’s Life According to Sam and Sam’s TEDx talk now available.July 11, 2016: Results of Triple Drug Trial for Progeria Published
June 2015: PRF Teams up with China and India Partners to Find more Children
Statistically, ¾ of the unidentified children with Progeria live in China and India. Read the press releases below to learn more about our international efforts to find them
Foundation’s Search for Children with Progeria Extends to China
Search begins for approximately 60 unidentified Progeria children in India
September 24, 2012: First-Ever Treatment for Progeria Discovered
October 25, 2010: PRF Celebrates the 1-Year Anniversary of the Find the Other 150 Campaign!
October 25, 2009: PRF Launches Global Campaign to Find All Children with Progeria
August 29, 2005: Blocking a Premature Aging Syndrome with Anticancer Drugs
Click here to view PRF in the News, which highlights our top media coverage, including CNN, ABC Primetime, New York Times Magazine and more!