News STARS-kids ~ Seeking Techniques Advancing Research in Shunts

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ROBERT H. PUDENZ AWARD

Dr. J. Pat McAllister received the Robert H. Pudenz Award for significant research contributions to Hydrocephalus and Cerebrospinal Fluid Physiology. The award was given during a reception on October 12, 2006. Dr. McAllister is the 23rd recipient of the award and only the second PhD in the world to have received it. Past recipients have been neurosurgeons.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. McAllister specifically thanked STARS for providing his department $620,000 in the 9 years that he has been working at Wayne State University. Amazingly, over one-third of that has been given within the past two years!
A copy of the speech is posted here on Stars-Kids website.
View Dr. McAllister's acceptance speech

Dr. McAllister (center) and others have certainly worked tirelessly to lead the hydrocephalus research community into new directions and into new areas for funding opportunities. STARS-kids is grateful to be able to partially fund such far-reaching research efforts.

View Dr. McAllister's acceptance speech

Stars-Kids efforts to fund research can provide the momentum and impetus for federal legislators to take notice and authorize significant and sustained funding. Please take the time to tell your congressman and/or senator about the importance of funding hydrocephalus research. It is a billion dollar health care industry annually! It is time for the general public to take notice!

Thanks to our dedicated and supportive contributors,
Stars-Kids has and can continue to effect change.

STARS-kids (Seeking Techniques Advancing Research in Shunts) began in 1993 as a volunteer fundraising group at Children's Hospital of Michigan. A group of three dedicated and determined mothers of shunted children wanted to raise money for research. Shunts are the preferred neurosurgical treatment for hydrocephalus, but they are not a cure. Shunts malfunction, break and cause problems. By providing money for research perhaps there may someday be a cure or at least a better alternative for managing and living with hydrocephalus.

In the early years, the STARS-kids team washed cars, sold candy bars and home plastic storage supplies. Now we host an annual spring event, golf outing, walk-a-thons, and other functions during the year.

Currently, there are nearly 10 mothers, fathers and shunted adults that regularly attend the monthly meetings. Our mailing list consists of over 100 members. We meet monthly to discuss plans for fundraising events This year our goal is to raise $100,000 for shunt research. Each year we have successfully increased our fundraising abilities.
We work together as a team, many of us united because of our children. A special thanks to our families, friends, doctors, nurses and all of you that have helped us through the difficult moments and trying times we've had to overcome. You have helped us keep the faith and reach for the stars.

Stars-Kids.org earns a referral fee each time a customer uses the *link to the right* to make a purchase at Amazon.com. Please visit Amazon.com for your holiday and everyday shopping and help Stars-kids Thanks to our dedicated and supportive contributors, Stars-Kids has and can continue to effect change.
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