The PACT, September 2004

We, the staff at G-PACT would like to take this opportunity to thank many of you who have been with us for a long time and have been a strong advocate for G-PACT. Also, welcome all new families who have recently had a family member diagnosed with Gastroparesis as well as those with friends with Gastroparesis.

As you have browsed our site you may have noticed that some areas that are not up-to date and we would like to explain why this has occurred.

As anyone knows who has suffered from Gastroparesis there are times when you must give into it and ride the waves until they calm down and you can settle down and get back to some normalcy. We, the staff, have, unfortunately had some of those waves, however, we are beginning to see calmer waters ahead.

For those of you who may or may not know, Carissa Haston, President of G-PACT has been quite ill and is currently awaiting a 5 organ transplant and has been in the Family House in Pittsburg, PA since December, 2004. For those who know Carissa and her struggles you may follow Carissa's (http://www.monkeygirl.atfreeweb.com/updates2005/Current.htm) progress with daily updates.

Veronica, Vice President of G-PACT has also had her share of medical issues. As some of you may know, while she doesn't suffer from Gastroparesis, she does deal with a rare nerve disease that is a result from a fall and break to her left ankle, which has since moved to her entire leg and lower back. While continuing to find a normal medium with the pain, she fell breaking her right foot during a recent flare-up of the disease. While already off her feet for that, she underwent major abdominal surgery which had been scheduled previously. She is finally home, and beginning the slow healing process.

The staff has also suffered from what is called “a domino effect”. This past year has been an unhealthy year for the staff and we are working as hard as we can when we can to bring everything current for you.

We do thank you for your patience and hope you will bear with us while we are in the process of updating our site.

[Back to Top]

Gastroparesis Awareness

We at G-PACT haven’t been totally without productive ideas and are happy to bring you these wristbands to help promote the awareness of Gastroparess.

We are able to do this due to a group of doctors, who wish to remain anonymous, but have graciously donated the first 1000 wristbands with stipulations that all proceeds go directly to G-PACT to help them continue to carry out their mission of promoting public awareness

The artwork on the wristbands state: GP FRIENDS CARE-SHARE-CURE

The meaning behind this means that Gastroparesis patients/friends
1-Care for each other and offer support
2-Share their experiences, needs and how it effects their life’s
3-Cure-All hope for a cure

(and as with many other bands they also have G-PACT’s website on one side so that others who wish to order them will have the information when they see them.)

These wristbands have become very popular for bringing the awareness for many conditions and what a better way to bring the awareness to Gastroparesis!

You may join in and help the cause as well. These wristbands are only $3.00 each including postage. You can order yours by simply sending the $3 fee, your name and address to:

GP-Friends Wristbands
1302 Pressview Avenue
Altamonte Springs, FL, 32701

So let's help bring Gastroparesis to the forefront of public awareness!! We can do it............YOU CAN DO IT!!! Order yours now.

[Back to Top]

Department News

Fundraising Department

Shop to support G-PACT!!

BuyforCharity.com
Have something you need to buy? Then sign up with Buy for Charity, and designate G-PACT (Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatments, Inc.) to receive the benefits!! Buy for Charity (www.buyforcharity.com) is a company that brings the mall straight to you! The online shopping mall has many of the most popular online stores. Up to 35% of your purchase price will go directly to G-PACT. Shop at stores like: Barnes and Noble, Gap, 1-800 Flowers and over 350 more! Plus, for added ease, shop by categories! There is nothing extra charged to you for shopping and it's free, so sign up today!!! Take your online shopping spree one step further, and support a worthy cause while you're at it!

Cafepress.com
Looking for G-PACT gear? Look no further! Check out G-PACT's CafePress store! You can find all sorts of items, and what you buy supports G-PACT! $5 of every item will be given to G-PACT. Remember CafePress next time you need to buy a present for someone. Not only does your purchase support G-PACT financially, but you will bring awareness to the public by wearing our logo! Ready to shop? Go to http://www.cafeshops.com/gpact

Current
Don't forget about out Current FUNraiser!! To shop, simply go to http://currentfun.com, find all your wonderful products then when checking out, use Ohio and G-PACT, and 50% of your total cost will come straight to us!!

[Back to Top]

Public Relations

Spotlight Patient

Our current spotlight patient is Amy Foore who is 36 years old. She has batteled Gastroparesis since 1999. To view her full story, please see our website at http://www.g-pact.org/spotlight.htm

[Back to Top]

Services To Help You

Overview of Services

G-PACT is a patient-oriented organization with several programs to assist GP sufferers everywhere! Here are some of the program we offer:

Meet a GPer

This program allows patients to find others just like them! You can read stories about about patients and then choose the ones that you want to get a hold of! Simply go to http://www.g-pact.org/personalnamepage.htm for more information. Would you like to be included? It's easy, just go to http://www.g-pact.org/personalpagequal.htm to view the qualifications and submit your info!

GP Recipe Program

Do you have a favorite recipe that works for you and your Gastroparesis? Then share it! G-PACT has just launched a new service where patients can submit recipes to be shared with everyone. If you're interested in sharing go to http://www.g-pact.org/recipesubmit.htm Your recipe will then be added for everyone to view and try for themselves! To view submitted recipes, go to http://www.g-pact.org/recipes.htm

PAL

This is a program for Gastroparesis sufferers, who have questions about this illness, need someone with an attentive ear to listen, or who may need information for handling an insurance denial. This is an excellent way to offer support and answer questions for Gastroparesis sufferers and family because it offers a personalized and precise support for those who use the service. G-PACT provides five 1-800 numbers* for callers to use when in need of support. Guidelines and additional information about this individualized, toll-free support network is available on our website at http://www.g-pact.org/palprogram.htm

*G-PACT would like to thank Medtronic for sponsoring this very important program!

Regional Support Group Meetings

These are meetings in local areas so patients, friends and family members can get together in person. If you're interested in starting a meeting in your area, please contact volunteers@g-pact.org. Currently, a local support group meeting is available in the following area(s):

Orlando, Florida
Sponsor: Lila Litter llitter@g-pact.org

Restaurant Cards

G-PACT has created personalized medically necessary discount restaurant cards. These cards are the size of business cards and give a brief overview of gastroparesis. The cards requests that GPers be allowed to order off the child's or senior's menu, share a plate with another customer, or receive a substantial discount on another meal due to diet restrictions and need for smaller portions. These are FREE to anyone with GP. Please go to http://www.g-pact.org/publicrelations.htm for more info.

***Please remember that Veronica is still recovering from surgery. Please be patient in receiving your card. We assure you that you will get it!

[Back to Top]

General Information

G-PACT Personnel List

President/Webmaster Carissa Haston chaston@g-pact.org (888) 820-0729 Ext 81	Supply Depot Manager Sherri Milburn smilburn@g-pact.org (888) 820-0729 Ext 87

Vice President/Financial Officer Veronica Pennington vpennington@g-pact.org (888) 820-0729 Ext 82	Administrative Assistant Lila Litter llitter@g-pact.org (888) 820-0729 Ext 83

[Back to Top]

G-PACT Office Information

Street Address:
	G-PACT 702 Winebary Circle Lewisberry, PA 17339

Mailing Address:
	G-PACT P.O. Box 197 Lewisberry, PA 17339

Phone:
	(888) 820-0729 Ext 81 (717) 938-2538 (717) 938-3174 Fax

Street Address:
	G-PACT Ohio Office 109 E. Spring Ave. Bellefontaine, OH 43311

Mailing Address:
	G-PACT Ohio Office P.O. Box 674 Bellefontaine, OH 43311-0674

Phone:
	(888) 820-0729 Ext 82 (937) 592-3095 (937) 292-7197 Fax

[Back to Top]

Sincerely,

Your G-PACT Team:

Carissa, Veronica, Lila, and Sherri

Please read our disclaimer below.

You have received this newsletter either because you requested it, or because someone you know thought you would be interested. If you do not wish to continue to receive these updates, please e-mail thepact@g-pact.org and ask to be removed from the mailing list. You may also use that address if you are receiving this newsletter as a forward from someone you know and would like to receive it directly from us. If you would like to be added to receive our quarterly newsletter through US mail, please send us your name, mailing address, and reason for interest in G-PACT (patient, doctor, and friend of GPer, med student, etc). The information in this newsletter is intended to be used for information only and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or treatment of Gastroparesis. Follow the advice of your physician. G-PACT does not discriminate.

[Back to Top]

Click here to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Click here to forward this email to a friend.