National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Awareness Week

"The purpose for National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Awareness Week is to put
a much-needed spotlight on this fatal disease," remarked Christy Brom, founder
of CJD Aware!, a non-profit, information organization based in New Orleans. The
organization was founded in the spring of 2002 after the death of Ms. Brom's mother,
Sara, from the sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Sara Brom was 66
years old when she died on November 12, 2000. "In 2002, organizations worldwide
were invited by the CJD Support Network in Great Britain to join them in recognizing
November 12 as International CJD Awareness Day," added Ms. Brom. "Our participation
in this event began with support from Great Britain. Then in October, 2002, CJD Aware!
decided to send a letter to the Governor of North Carolina requesting a signed CJD
proclamation proclaiming November 10-16 as 'Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Awareness
Week' in the state of North Carolina. We were very pleased when we received the
proclamation from Governor Easley. Then one of my Board members,
George B.K. Carr, Sr., suggested that we pursue a goal of CJD proclamations
from the Governors in all 50-states. Since we began this campaign in 2002, we're over
half-way to our goal of all 50-states." "This cause is very near and dear to my heart,"
remarked Mr. Carr. "My wife, Bay, and I fully support Christy and her organization,
CJD Aware!. Bay and I have known the Brom family for over 30-years, and were simply
devastated when Sara died from this horrendous disease. It destroyed Sara's intellect,
her wonderful creativity and personality. We will do everything we can to get the word out about
CJD, and we feel that 'National CJD Awareness Week' is one way of accomplishing this. That's
why we decided to send letters out to Governors of each state nationwide, in addition to the state
of North Carolina. We've gotten a very positive feedback on this national campaign." CJD Aware! has made great strides since its inception in the spring of 2002. "This disease
has no boundaries as far as location, race or age," added Ms. Brom. "We are here to
assist any individual or organization who wishes information about Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
The disease has been around since the 1920's and, unfortunately, shows no sign of
disappearing."