In May, four G-PACT
volunteers had the exciting opportunity to exhibit at Digestive
Diseases Week in New Orleans. It was an excellent trip and we
enjoyed meeting so many medical professionals from all over the
world. We were able to describe gastroparesis and share
information with many physicians whom had never heard of it or
knew little about it. Several physicians we have been in contact
with for a while dropped by to visit, and to discuss ways in which
we can continue to expand our services to the medical profession
and patients. Our latest publication, a professionally designed 64
page, color booklet detailing gastroparesis and the services
G-PACT provides, was introduced at DDW and drew a lot of interest.
If you are a patient, medical professional, or loved one of a
person with gastroparesis and would like to receive this
information, please contact supplydepot@g-pact.org
or order online at
http://www.g-pact.org/packetrequest.htm
G-PACT was
invited to participate in Celebration Day 2004, an event which was
held in the township in which the home office is located. We
received so many donations of food and drink items to
sell. Volunteers at the event distributed free yellow and lime
green balloons to kids. We offered face painting and spin art!
There was a lot of interest in G-PACT and gastroparesis in the
community. The event was very successful, and a lot of fun for
everyone involved!
G-PACT would like
to thank everyone who contributed to this event in any way. A lot
of work was put into this by supporters of G-PACT, and the results
were incredible! Your contributions are what led to the success of
this festival. We look forward to expanding these events to reach
out to communities throughout the country.
Currently, we have a local support group meeting available to any
Central Floridians suffering from Gastroparesis. This group meets
on the second Thursday of each month in the conference room at the
Florida Hospital-Altamonte from 6:30-8:00pm.
Our small group began meeting last September and have remained
meeting on a regular basis. Our members are very special and have
become a close-knit family, so to speak, and are supportive of one
another. We welcome anyone who lives in or near the
Orlando/Altamonte and surrounding areas to join us. This is a
wonderful opportunity to meet others and know you aren’t alone.
Friends and family members are welcome also.
For those who are looking for a Gastroparesis Support Group we
would like you to check out the Yahoo Support Group. Membership
is now over 1500, including adults, parents of children suffering
from GP, as well as those of us who have friends who are suffering
from GP and want to offer support. The group meets online every
Sunday evening from 8:30pm-10:30pm using Yahoo Instant Messenger.
This is a time to ask questions, share experiences with GP and try
to add some fun time as well.
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 [Back to
Top]
Jr. Baby Doll T-Shirt Sale
Price $19.99
Supply
Depot
Depot
Information
Our Supply Depot is
available to assist patients who need medical supplies who can not afford it,
or run out between monthly paid benefits. If you or someone you know,
needs any kind of supplies as relating to Gastroparesis, please contact supplydepot@g-pact.org
or (888) 820-0729 Ext. 87 for more information. If we don't have the
item in stock, we'll try our best to find it for you! Alternatively, if
you have items laying around that you don't need, contact us and we'll take
them for you! You can help others too!
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
The
Patient Awareness Liaison Program (a.k.a. PAL) was launched in August
2003.
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.
If
you are in need of individualized assistance or support, you will find
information on each of the active volunteers on the website and in the
monthly e-mail newsletter.
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!
Current
PAL Volunteers:
Name:
Jo F
-Location: Detroit, MI
-Age: 50
-GP History: Diagnosed with gp in 3/02, but was sick for years before that
-Areas of experience: diet, medication, treatment options
-Marital/Family Status: Married, two children, age 23 and 10
-Time Zone: Eastern
-Available hours: 4-7 PM M-F, 9pm-1am M-F
-Toll Free: 1-866-58G-PACT
Name: Bobbiejo W
-Location: Louisville, Kentucky
-Age: 23
-GP history: Symptoms began to become severe after a take down of a Nissen
fundoplication in June 2002. Diagnosis confirmed in November of that
year and gradually worsening over time such that not since able to take
anything by mouth.
-Areas of experience: Nissen Fundoplication, Balloon dilatation of
esophagus, aperistalsis of esophagus, GERD, Enteral feedings and J-tube,
drainage and G-tube, Enterra therapy (pacer) by Medtronic, pH Bravo,
Mamometry
-Time Zone: Eastern
-Available hours: 12:00pm-2:30pm Monday-Saturday
-Toll Free: 1-866-59G-PACT
Would
you like to volunteer with our PAL line? Contact Stephanie, PR
Director, at scselle@g-pact.org
for more information.
G-PACT
has created personalized restaurant cards in the size of business cards
for all people dealing with gastroparesis. They can be used at restaurants
when a GP patient needs to order a meal in a smaller portion. These cards
request that people with GP be allowed to order off the child or seniors
menu, or share a dinner with another customer.*
This help patients reduce the cost of
meals and amount of wasted food they cannot finish. They are free to
anybody with gastroparesis. Just send an SASE (Self
Addressed Stamped Envelope) to the following address to request your card.
Please include your name so we can personalize it for you. If you lose
your card, we will replace it. We have received excellent responses about
this program!
G-PACT
Ohio Office
P.O.
Box 674
Bellefontaine,
OH43311
-0674
Because
of the overwhelming response,
please be patient in receiving your card.If you have any questions please contact Veronica at vpennington@g-pact.org
*
G-PACT can not guarantee the acceptance
of the card.
Carissa, Veronica, Lila, Sherri, Jo, Toni, Stephanie, and Bobbiejo
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
