************ Check us out on the Web ************

The website www.g-pact.org  is available to anyone interested in
learning about GP and G-PACT. The site is unique from other
organization websites for many reasons:

We have a  section called  "Rays of Inspiration".  This  section 
provides GPers a way to express themselves and share their feelings
through the creative mind including art, music, and writing.

There is also a section for people to nominate a spotlight patient
and read stories of others with GP. On top of that, the G-PACT site
is loaded with solid medical information about Gastroparesis which
is easy  for patients and loved ones to  understand.  The site is
also unique in that it was not designed by someone with no
connection with GP at all, but instead by someone who suffers from
severe GP on a daily basis.  Therefore, a lot of TLC has been a part
of the design process.

Carissa, (President/Webmaster), is  working on creating a
professional portion of the website for medical professionals to
have access to articles and publications written by doctors who
treat GI motility disorders. The papers can include all aspect of
Gastroparesis and gastric motility that will benefit other doctors
who deal with these problems, as well as doctors who know very
little about them and want to learn.  She welcomes doctors to
contact  her at webmaster@g-pact.org or 1-888-820-0729 x 81 if they
have questions or are interested in submitting some information

Department Updates


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


Our Research Department is  constantly searching for  new
information on Gastroparesis  for public availability.

For those who work in the medical field as a physician or researcher
your assistance is welcomed.

- There has been a case reported regarding the fact that "Acute
Gastroparesis is  secondary to Thyrotoxicosis".
  If you are interested, please email me at cporter@g-pact.org  .
- Long QT syndrome during high-dosage of Cisapride: Gastroparesis
prokinetic drugs react with the Cisapride.

There is an article called "The Secret Culprits Behind Stomach
Problems" which is in the April issue of Redbook if anyone is
interested in reading it.



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

The Fundraising Department is always looking for volunteers or for
people who can advise on Fund Raising events (if they have done them
before, etc).  If you feel that you would be interested in helping
in this area please contact Jo Fick our Volunteer Coordinator at
volunteer@g-pact.org  and she will send you the necessary volunteer
form.

The following is a list of Fundraising projects we have in progress:

-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.

-Ink jet cartridge recycling is available and we all can contribute
to this. Just tell or ask anyone to collect their print cartridges. G-PACT members  can send them in to the company at no cost and receive a profit  for our time.   
If you are interested in this you can email fundraising@g-pact.org for a list of cartridges and prices for each.  The company sends us  the mailing supplies and
postage which means that G-PACT doesn't have to put any money into
the project and still be able to receive reimbursements.

-Cookbooks: We have recipes coming in, asking everyone for them and
getting good response.  Hopefully we can get enough in to be able to
complete the cookbooks to  sell them in the fall.  If there is anyone wanting to submit recipes please contact the Fundraising Department at the address above.

-We are working very hard on the idea of making a Gastroparesis Awareness ribbon. If anyone has any suggestions they would like to contribute please contact the fundraising department.