Latham Attends National Organization for Rare Diseases Gala

May 27, 2013

The National Organization for Rare Diseases  (NORD) invited Latham Centers to its 30th Anniversary Gala at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington DC earlier this month.  The gala marked both the support of the founding of NORD and the 1983 Orphan Drug Act which have continuously helped to fund and support initiatives for people with rare diseases. Performing at the gala was singer Siobhan Magnus (Cape Cod resident and former American Idol finalist). Siobhan was invited to perform at the Gala by NORD COO Pam Gavin who has family ties to the Cape.  Coincidentally, Magnus also has ties to the Prader-Willi and Latham community on the Cape and beyond.

There are some 8,000 classified rare diseases, so you can imagine our surprise when Siobhan was introduced at the gala amongst a crowd of 500 and Prader-Willi Syndrome was mentioned as her affinity rare disease. Siobhan made us proud once again, and helped to bring further awareness to PWS during May-national Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness month. Jonathan Smith, VP of Children’s Services was also interviewed by Gala videographers about PWS. Thank you to NORD and Ms. Magnus for their generous inclusion of Latham in this momentous gala.

Submitted by Gerry Desautels,
VP of Development &
Community Outreach