LEGG CALVES PERTHES DISEASE RALLY ON OCTOBER 26TH 2003 AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON DC.

RALLY TO GENERATE AWARENESS TO LEGG CALVES PERTHES DISEASE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE RESEARCH.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Saturday, October 25th 2003 The Legg Calves Perthes Disease Support Group has been issued a permit to Rally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. The Rally will take place between 1.00pm and 5.00pm and will be attended by both children (aged 5-15) who have been afflicted by this condition and their families. Their goal is to bring more awareness to this little known disease, and to instigate research as Legg Calves Perthes Disease (LCPD) current classification is idiopathic. The Rally is being held in conjunction with Make A Difference Day, the national day of doing good.

LCPD is an uncommon orthorpedic classified disease that causes a cessation of the blood supply to the femoral heads in the hip sockets. It can occur both unilaterally and bilaterally and is more common in boys than girls. Once the blood supply ceases the bone dies and the femoral head fragments ultimately causing collapse. Children face a multitude of treatments ranging from bracing, casting, tenotomys and osteotomys. There is no single agreed on treatment for LCPD and children face total hip replacements as early as their thirties.

All money raised by the group will be donated to Shriners Childrens Hospitals. The Chairman of Shriners Hospitals will be at the Rally on October 25th to personally accept our donation.

Our Speaker will be Mr. Bill Shannon, who was diagnosed with LCPD as a child, and currently performs disabled dance throughout America. He has been acknowledged by major periodicals across the nation such as The New York Times, etc.

Please Note: There will be another Rally opposing the Iraqi Occupation at the other end of the Reflecting Pool on the same date. Your reporters should already be in place to cover both stories simultaneously.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT DENISE ATTIA AT (718) 339-7195 OR (917) 273-6683.