Gerald R. Clark, Jr, nicknamed JJ Clark, is currently nine years old. JJ was born on June 16, 1999 with DiGeorge’s Syndrome, and is the fundamental motivation for the Foundation establishment. One in six thousand children have the genetic disorder. The syndrome is random and may not be predictable from the donor parents and has recognizable symptoms, the most life-threatening issue being congenital heart defects.
The syndrome is caused by genetic deletions (loss of a small part of the genetic material) found on the long arm of the 22nd chromosome. Some patients with similar clinical features may have deletions on the short arm of chromosome 10. Almost all (about 93%) of cases have a de novo (new to the family) deletion of 22q11.2.
DiGeorge syndrome causes migration defects of neural crest-derived tissues, particularly affecting development of the third and fourth Brachial pouches (pharyngeal pouches). Also affected is the thymus gland; a mediastinal organ largely responsible for differentiation and induction of tolerance in T-cells. Impaired immune function results principally from this aetiology.
The mission for the Foundation is to facilitate finding a cure/remedy/treatment plan for the genetic disorder termed DiGeorge’s Syndrome. A parallel mission to bring the benefits of alternative therapies such as structural integration to DiGeorge Syndrome children. This mission, depending on the need response, will also be extended to other special needs category children whose genetic disorder contains symptoms associated with fascial body impediments with structural implications. In order to achieve the missions of the Foundation, a respite care facility will be sought where families can obtain supplemental care and structural integration can be shared with the children. The JJ Clark Foundation facility, headquartered in San Diego, California, will require approximately 20,000 square feet in its final form. The foundation's vision is to open a similar facility is several cities throughout the United States. Click here for a brochure |
