************ New staff members ************

G-PACT would like to take this opportunity to welcome new editions
to our staff.

Jo Fick ( Idiopathic GP ) is our New Volunteers Coordinator. Jo will
be handling all volunteer inquiries and placements. Please direct
all volunteer related correspondence to volunteer@g-pact.org or
jfick@g-pact.org and she will assist you.

Colleen Beener (Idiopathic GP) will be assisting in the Public
Relations Department with the implementation of our In-person
support groups.

Les Kelley ( Diabetic GP) will be assisting Carissa with the new
portion of our website called Personal GP Stories, and with
implementing the in-person support groups. Les was also the
spotlight patient for the month of March!  You may visit this site
at: www.g-pact.org/meetgpers.htm

We are glad to have each of these remarkable people on board with G-
PACT!

************ Latest in Research ************

Our Research Department is constantly searching for new information
on Gastroparesis for public availability. If this is an area in
which you would like to volunteer, please e-mail our new Volunteer
Coordinator Jo Fick at volunteer@g-pact.org or jfick@g-pact.org.  Jo
will be happy to assist you with the necessary information and forms
and determine from Cindy Porter, head of our Research Department, as
to what areas of research that is available.  

For those who work in the medical field as a physician or researcher
your assistance is welcomed.  To find out more information as to
what service or avenues to be explored, please contact Jo Fick at
volunteer@g-pact.org or jfick@g-pact.org.  At that time you will be
contacted with additional information regarding the available
options.

************ Fundraising Department *************

Carissa Haston, President/Webmaster, is sponsoring a fundraiser
based on "someone you know has GP". This fundraiser involves
gathering information from patients with GP, as well as a picture,
and personalizing cards and donor forms for each patient to send to
his/her loved ones in an effort to raise support from those closest
to them. If you have questions about this fundraiser, or would like
to participate, please email Jo Fick at volunteer@g-pact.org or
jfick@g-pact.org  

If you have an interest in working as a volunteer with G-PACT (as
needed, part time, full time, regional, etc) doing a fundraising
event, please contact Cindy at fundraising@g-pact.org for ideas or
suggestions. If you have a fundraising idea in mind you would like
to pursue, please contact the Fundraising Department and submit
a "Fundraising Proposal" form. This is a requirement so that we are
aware of all FR activities being conducted on our behalf, as well as
to provide legal guidance to individuals based on which state they
will be soliciting in.

 

************ From the office of Public Relations ************

The Public Relations Department currently has a few up and coming
projects to watch for:

We are trying to compile a database of reputable motility
specialists and GI doctors for a referral network. G-PACT is hoping
to have a readily available network of Physicians for Gastroparesis
sufferers to refer to.  If you know of a doctor, contact the Public
Relations Department at publicrelations@g-pact.org.  Please include
the doctors name, street address, country, and e-mail address and
phone number.  You will also need to include your full name, phone
number, and e-mail address so we can contact you if we have any
questions.

If you are a Physician and considering working with G-PACT, please
contact the Public Relations Department at the same e-mail address
above for more information. You may also receive this information by
accessing the G-PACT website www.g-pact.org/doctorsform.htm.

Also, we are currently planning in-person support group meetings.
This is a great opportunity to meet and interact with others who
suffer from Gastroparesis as well as have some of your questions
answered.  Please watch upcoming editions of the PACT for dates and
times.

G-PACT is looking to increase the number of Board members to include
those who are family and friends of people with GP but do not
personally have GP.  If you know of someone who is interested please
e-mail Carey at cmamich@g-pact.org