SISTAMOON FOUNDATION
SistaMoon Foundation, a non-profit organization was created in Honor of the Founder and CEO'S Daughter Dawn Sheckles. In addition to honoring Dawn Sheckles, the Foundation was also created to 1. Bring awareness to Devic's Disease. 2. To help raise funds for research and support for individuals diagnosed and affected by this rare disease. 3. To advocate for Devic’s Survivors who can not advocate for themselves. 4. The Founder desires to help educate individuals regarding this disease, by providing information from some of the leading Doctors/Researchers who have a vast knowledge of this disease. Devic's Disease is also known as Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). Dawn was diagnosed in September 2008. Although the main goal of the SistaMoon Foundation is to advocate for Devic’s Disease Survivors who can not advocate for themselves, the Foundation also Advocates on behalf of people who are disabled due to other circumstances as well (Mental Health Issues and People who are in need of patient advocacy.
Devic's disease is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in which there are episodes of inflammation and damage to the protective covering of nerves that almost exclusively affect the optic nerves and spinal cord. It can cause temporary or permanent blindness in one or both eyes. It can also lead to varying degrees of weakness or paralysis in the legs or arms,as well as painful spasms, loss of sensation, and bladder or bowel dysfunction from spinal cord damage.
It is very important to note is that the onset of symptoms can be very rapid, Some people have reported that their symptoms happened over a course of a week and some within a matter of hours.
This foundation is necessary because this disease is so rare and under diagnosed as well as mis-diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although there are many who are mis-diagnosed, 35 % of African Americans are Mis-diagnosed with MS when they really have Devic's Disease. According to the Walton Centre Medical Services in England, "80-90% of people with Neuromyelitis Optica, are women. (In fact most autoimmune disorders are common in women.)"
For a more detailed definition of what this disease is, please visit the Mayo Clinic Website at
We hope this site can bring awareness and attention to this rare and under-diagnosed/mis-diagnosed disease to the attention of every Doctor and every Person in the United States and around the world.
The SistaMoon Foundation is not in partnership with any other organizations, associations with respect to fund raising, However, we do provide links to other support groups and informational web sites.
No one other than the Founder and CEO of the SistaMoon Foundation or her designated Representative can authorize fund raising events on behalf of the SistaMoon Foundation.
In order to use Information obtained from this site you must give credit to the individual authors and the information used must be consistent with bringing awareness to Devic's Disease.
DISCLAIMER:
Please make sure to check with your Doctor, Neurologist before making any medical decision. Information obtained on this site is information found during the research of Devic's Disease.
We hope to see you again! Check back periodically for new updates to our website.
Contributions to the SistaMoon Foundation are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes at this time.
SistaMoon Foundation is a
ShecklesDiva Publication
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