SF Business Times: Kimberly Nye and Nasha Fitter both founded organizations to seek cures for afflictions suffered by their children. Nasha Fitter didn’t have time. There had to be a better, faster way, she thought — not just for her daughter, but for other people with rare diseases. Fitter tapped her tech and entrepreneurial background to create a nonprofit, the FOXG1 Research Foundation.
Global Genes Rare Leader: FOXG1 Research Foundation Co-Founder & Executive Director
The Johnson Family - Changing the World Right Here in Port Washington
FOXG1 Research Foundation co-founder and Executive Director shared her story with her hometown local magazine called Port Washington Living. This feature article celebrates the Johnson family and Nicole’s work to find a cure for FOXG1 syndrome, while helping FOXG1 families around the world, including helping the FOXG1 family in the Ukraine to safety.
ONCE UPON A GENE - The 12 Commandments to Guide You When You're Starting a Rare Disease Patient Advocacy Group. With Nasha Fitter and Mike Graglia
Effie Parks celebrated podcast Once Upon a Gene Episode 094: FOXG1 advocate Nasha Fitter and SYNGAP1 advocate Mike Graglia are leaders in the rare disease community and two of the top parent leaders in the advocacy game. In this episode, they're sharing their knowledge, expertise and experiences in an information-packed masterclass on how to build a rare disease patient advocacy group, get funding and forge a path to a cure.
Boston Children's Heather Olson on the Importance of the FOXG1 Digital Natural History Study
Heather Olson, MD, MS, Neurologist at Boston Children’s and Neurology Instructor at Harvard Medical, discusses FOXG1 Research Foundation’s Ciitizen Digital Natural History Study.
Heather Olson, MD, MS, Neurologist at Boston Children’s and Neurology Instructor at Harvard Medical, discusses FOXG1 Research Foundation’s Natural History Study.
FOXG1 syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by impaired development and structural brain abnormalities. The condition can be caused by mutations within the FOXG1 gene or a deletion of genetic material from the region of the long arm of chromosome 14 where the gene is located. FOXG1 syndrome is considered an autosomal dominant condition. While it is possible for parents to be carriers, most cases result from new mutations.
As Dr. Olson explains, natural history studies like the one supported by Ciitizen and the FOXG1 Research Foundation are critically important, especially for rare diseases. These studies allow researchers to learn about different symptoms, how heterogeneous the patient population is, and to avoid bias when conducting studies. Dr. Olson also explains that this particular natural history study is unique in that it is digital which is beneficial as it puts less strain on families and patients participating in the study.
To learn more about FOXG1 syndrome and rare neurological disorders, visit checkrare.com/diseases/neurology