National child hydro group announces first state chapters
Just a week after a House of Representatives Committee passed a congressional resolution to name September as National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, one of the sponsors of the resolution–the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation–announced the creation of its first two state chapters, effectively starting its own wider grassroots movement to spread the awareness of child hydro.
The Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, founded by husband and wife Michael and Kimberly Ilions, devotes itself to raising the standard in education about hydrocephalus. On Tuesday, the national group celebrated the official beginning of chapter offices in California and Missouri, with President Kim Ilions stating, “(W)e look forward to raising money, awareness and advocacy for Pediatric Hydrocephalus with these two great states.”
Though it’s a daunting task, the PHF’s mission statement focuses itself on energizing the resources and community necessary to find and provide alternative treatments for hydrocephalus, if not finding a cure for the brain condition.
Missouri State Director Shannon Sommers said, “We are so thankful to be a part of this incredible organization. Our goal here in Missouri is to educate families and doctors that having hydrocephalus is okay.
“And with the help of the community we will fight with all our might to fund a cure,” she added.
You can find information on local events, donations, and a physicians director at the PHF’s Web site here, or even join its Facebook group here. To get information about community outreach and events, contact Missouri Director Sommers at her email shannon@hydrocephaluskids.org and California State Director Bridget Roberts at bridget@hydrocephaluskids.org.