PANS/PANDAS are inflammatory brain disorders causing abrupt and extreme behavioral changes, including severe and debilitating OCD and/or eating restriction in children and young adults. Very often, the illness starts after an ordinary infection, such as strep throat. Antibodies made to fight the infection mistakenly attack brain tissues, causing neurological and behavioral symptoms. Affected children also have an extreme and abrupt onset of anxiety, rage, depression, insomnia, behavioral regression, deterioration in school performance, tics, and other debilitating symptoms. Prompt medical treatment is essential.
It is estimated that 1 out of 200 children and/or adolescents have, or will develop, PANS/PANDAS inflammatory brain disorder.
In moderate to severe cases, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) significantly decreases symptom severity and shortens the course of illness in PANS/PANDAS. IVIG is a blood product made up of antibodies that can be given intravenously (through a vein). IVIG is prepared from a pool of immunoglobulins (antibodies) from the plasma of thousands of healthy donors.
This Holiday Season Please Share the LOVE and Donate Blood 4 PANS/PANDAS.
#calpansblooddrive4PansPandas ❤️
Challenge your friends (or anyone for that matter) to a friendly competition! Who will win the battle to do the most social good for your community?
Put your virtual blood drive campaign against one or even multiple other campaigns to see who can recruit more blood donors for the American Red Cross.
