ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S DEMENTIA LOTTERY
& SANFILIPPO CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
The Children’s Dementia Lottery is proudly supporting the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation.
The purpose of the Sanfilippo Children’s Foundation is to drive research for a world without Sanfilippo syndrome.
Sanfilippo syndrome is one of the most common types of childhood dementia, and most children diagnosed with this condition never reach adulthood. It is a devastating diagnosis causing fatal brain damage and while there is currently no cure there is hope. Researchers here in Australia and around the world are working hard to unlock answers and deliver treatments as quickly as possible to families.
ABOUT SANFILIPPO SYNDROME
Most of us think of dementia as affecting older people, but there are conditions like Sanfilippo syndrome that are a type of children’s dementia and life-limiting. Children with Sanfilippo are born missing an enzyme that helps cells clear waste, and over time this waste builds up and damages the brain and body.
Like adults with dementia, children experience severe hyperactivity, disordered sleep, loss of speech, cognitive decline, cardiac issues, seizures, loss of mobility…and finally death. Life expectancy for children with Sanfilippo is only 12-20 years of age, but it is our hope research will lead to a cure.
There is currently no treatment or cure available to children diagnosed with this devastating disease…but there is HOPE.
RESEARCH HOLDS THE KEY
Researchers around the world are working hard to develop effective treatments for Sanfilippo syndrome, with several clinical trials already completed or underway.
Research targets three key areas:
- STOP the disease at its root cause
- TREAT the impact on the brain and body
- MANAGE symptoms for improved quality of life
Amongst the therapeutic avenues being explored, currently gene therapy is the most promising. However, a combination of treatments is likely to give the best outcome, so it is important that a wide variety of approaches continue to be researched.
Research into Sanfilippo syndrome may lead to treatments for other childhood dementias and neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
HELP DRIVE VITAL RESEARCH INTO CHILDHOOD DEMENTIA
Lottery Closes in:
LOTTERY CLOSES: November 25
LOTTERY DRAWN: November 28