Petland Donates $20K to Project Alive

Listen to this article

Press Release Source: Petland

Petland has provided Project Alive with a check for $20,000 to help fund clinical trials. Petland stores in Southern Florida, along with Petland, Inc., raised money through donations and drives in September.

Hunter Syndrome (MPS II) is a rare genetic disease which causes progressive damage and that affects less than 500 boys in the United States. Some never develop speech, but some boys learn like a typical child only to begin losing skills they’ve learned at a young age. They eventually lose the ability to walk, talk and eat. Most do not live to see their teen years.

Gene therapy, a revolutionary new approach to treating genetic diseases, may provide the cure these boys desperately need. Researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, are in the final stages of developing the first gene therapy clinical trial for boys with Hunter Syndrome. Project Alive, a 501 c-3 organization, aims to fund the trials and bring the world one step closer to a cure.

“Petland Florida stands shoulder to shoulder with our partners at Project Alive,” said Luis Marquez, a Petland franchisee in southern Florida. “The fight against Hunter Syndrome is time-sensitive; we need everyone’s help! Our goal with this donation is to get other corporations and businesses involved in helping fund the cure while these beautiful children still have time.”

After meeting with Sebastian Estevez, who is living with Hunter Syndrome, and his parents, Marquez introduced the family to Petland’s corporate team. He was planning fundraisers at his five Petland stores and asked the corporate office to join in the effort. Together, Petland was able to raise $20,000.