Prayers for MsDisney23

[Johnfish]

Hello All,

I wanted to let you all know what is up with Kitty (MsDisney23). Kitty and I have stayed in touch since we met in WDW last August. Most of you know her incredible story (for those that dont do a search on Rose Ceremony). Kitty has been struggling with some health issues and I wanted to let her DIS friends know and ask for your prayers.

I also wanted to let you know some of the amazing things she is doing to spread her story and hope to the diabetics of the world. Here is some of the things that she will be doing over the next month in her own words!

I have been asked to do some public interviews with the media for The University of Maryland School of Medicine for Diabetes Awareness. I have agreed to do so allowing other's who live with this disease to know there is hope and cutting edge research being done. The University goal is to make the public aware of diabetes so that the one-third of diabetics who are undiagnosed will be tested; current patients will feel encouraged; and their loved ones will not feel so isolated.

They want to use me for their upcoming event on Feb. 26th at The Hippodrome Theatre, with that I shall now head to MD. sooner than planned. There is a "Special Young Lady" that I am doing this one for, she is a type one diabetic. I am taking a Reese's with me for good~luck and each of you in my heart.

To keep you updated I am including my upcoming plans:

I will be heading back to UMMC where I will be attending the Lecture Series on Feb. 26, 2007 at The Hippodrome.

On March 15, 2007, I will visit Eastern Virginia Medical School where I will interview Dr. Aaron I. Vinik, Director, Diabetes Research Institute Scientific Director, Department of Medicine Professor of Medicine.

Dr. Vinik is one of the leading diabetes researchers in the world, Dr. Vinik is key in the Strelitz Diabetes Institutes' quest to cure diabetes. His focus of attention is:

The prevention and reversal of diabetic neuropathy and the development of islet cell regeneration research as a cure for diabetes.

Dr. Vinik spearheaded the discovery of "ilotropin," a chemical substance that can reawaken a cell's potential to produce insulin and the gene, INGAP, the protein responsible for this reawakening.

I shall then head to Miami to The Diabetic Research Institute to meet with Dr. Camillo Ricordi who invented the Ricordi chamber that made Islet transplant possible. I am honored to be able to interview with so many wonderful Physicians and shall talk about everything that I have learned on May 15, 2007, at UMMC.

On March 16, 2007 I shall visit UNOS Headquarters, where "Life's Celebration" will be placed in my Honor for Donor Awareness! I shall also place several Roses for our Donor's, With a special memory going to My Donor and Ms. Barbara Riley (cookie). "Life's Celebration" will be Published in my book as well.

To date I am currently working with Dr. Thomas Margolis of Foxman, Foxman, Margolis & Associates. Retinal & Ophthalmic Consultants, P.C. www.retina.com to start the:
Kitty Castellini Diabetic Eye Research Foundation. I shall share my own personal experience with Diabetic Retinopathy in the book as well.

Dr. Fallon and I shall also donate part of the proceeds to Diabetic Research in both of our names.

As you can see nothing can keep Kitty down she is a truly amazing person. Lets all send lots of prayers her way.

John

PS Below is some info on the event she is attending this week. There were pictures also but unfortunately I could not figure out how to attach them LOL



The University of Maryland School of Medicine will celebrate its bicentennial with a free three-part lecture series on health and leadership topics at the historic Hippodrome Theatre adjacent to its west Baltimore campus. Although there is no charge, tickets are required. They are available at 2007@som.umaryland.edu. (Details of departmental lectures are in the Calendar section.)



Diabetes: Monday, February 26
Reception: 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Presentations: 7-9 p.m.



Singer Patti LaBelle is among the speakers at the first lecture. She will talk about how the diagnosis of diabetes has changed her life. Also on the program is A M James Shapiro, MD, PhD, professor of surgery at the University of Edmonton and director of the world's largest islet transplantation program. University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers on the program are E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, dean and professor of obstetrics and gynecology; Alan Shuldiner, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Program in Genetics & Genomic Medicine; and Stephen Bartlett, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Surgery. The event is co-sponsored by the University of Maryland Medical Center, the Joslin Diabetes Center, and the University of Maryland Medical System.



James Shapiro


Leadership: Thursday, April 26
Reception: 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Presentations: 7-9 p.m.




This evening will be devoted to informal talks by nationally respected leaders who continue to contribute to society even though they no longer hold the professional positions that made them household names. The first speaker will be Cal Ripken, Jr., the retired Baltimore Orioles player whose priorities now include reading and baseball programs for children.



Central Nervous System: Monday, September 24
Reception: 5:30-6:45 p.m.
Presentations: 7-9 p.m.


Janet Reno

Nancy Wexler

Among the topics to be covered at this special evening are the spectrum of disorders of the central nervous system. Speakers include Nancy Wexler, PhD, professor of neuropsychology at Columbia University, whose specialty is Huntington's disease. Also on the program are former United States Attorney General Janet Reno, who will talk about living with Parkinson's disease. Details of the balance of the program will be highlighted on this page as they are completed.

General bicentennial information is available at 410-706-2007