Team Cure Pandas

"Strep throat. No big deal, right? All kids get it at some point!" That's what we thought, too. Until our son went to bed in March, 2018 after a strep infection and woke up the next morning with a sudden onset of obsessive compulsive thoughts, depression, anxiety, irrational fears, and an overall terrifying change in his demeanor. We spent the next three months feverishly searching for answers, consulting therapists, and trying to make sense of what was happening to our formerly sweet, gentle, joyful 8-year-old boy. By June, we had a diagnosis:  Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). We learned that in some children, strep triggers a misdirected immune response, causing the body to attack the brain. While focusing on our son's journey to healing, it became clear to us how incredibly lucky we were to receive a diagnosis and treatment so quickly, making his prognosis favorable. We have come to learn that, due to a lack of education in both the parent and medical communities, many children and their families are tossed around from specialist to specialist seeking, but never finding, answers. As a result, many end up incapable of living "normal" lives, and some of their journeys even tragically end with suicide. 

The Agalliu Lab at Columbia University Medical Center is at the forefront of research that is not only proving that this misdirected immune response occurs with Strep exposure, but their work is also leading to a deeper understanding of how this response works so that it can be effectively treated, saving its victims from the devastating effects that PANDAS has on both their lives and the lives of their families. We cannot express enough our gratitude for your donation as we work to fund Dr. Agalliu's efforts to understand the genetics, mechanisms, and solutions for our son and the approximately 1/200 other children who battle this frightening disease. Please consider sharing this page with your friends and family, as the donations will not only save lives, but our story may also help other families reach a diagnosis.