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Reflections by Sylvia Anderson, PhD
Greeting visitors to the
Laboratory for FD Research at Fordham University, is a
poem, taped to the door:
Facing east
Waiting in anticipation
Time advances
From black to gray the horizon lightens
In moments
Rays of light streak across the sky
Announcing a new day
 For
Dr. Sylvia Anderson and her colleagues at the Laboratory,
these words have deep meaning. Their work has purpose:
anticipation of the next discovery that will translate
into better health for those with FD. Hope and optimism
exist in the identification of two natural compounds,
tocotrienols and a component of green tea, used to reverse
the FD-causing genetic defect that in the past took the
lives of too many. Using continued funds from FD Hope, the
lab has made recent discoveries certain to improve the
lives of those with FD.
Each day these researchers come to
the lab excited by the possibility that this day will
bring the next discovery that will make a difference. They
work with a sense of urgency. The frightening reality is
that FD is a progressive disease; every day matters. A
treatment discovered next month will benefit many
children, but if that discovery is made sooner, today or
tomorrow, it may save one life more.
During a speech at FD Hope's
Portraits of Hope fundraiser this past March, Dr. Anderson
reflected on the impact FD research has had on her
personally. "I have met and come to know some incredible
people whose strength and vision inspire me." Dr. Anderson
points to the children, "whose passion and love of life
set them apart from their peers," to their siblings who
love and support their brothers and sisters with FD, and
to their parents who will do everything and anything for
their children; for them there is no compromising.
She is also inspired by the
physicians who have incorporated the lab's findings into
their patients' protocols and have significantly improved
the lives of these children. Dr. Fernando Stein, the chief
of Critical Care at Texas Children's Hospital, shared his
experiences with these supplements with a physician in
Canada. Now an eleven year old boy in Canada is out of the
hospital and living a much healthier life. A four-month
old under the care of Dr. Neal Gittleman, a physician in
south New Jersey, has taken tocotrienols and green tea
since birth and as a result, is thriving and
indistinguishable from her unaffected twin sister.
Dr. Anderson feels blessed in her
association with her colleague and collaborator, Dr.
Berish Rubin, who "works long hours with passion and
drive, and acts as if every one of the children with FD
could be his own child."
Finally, she addressed the
audience of donors at Portraits of Hope, "I remain in awe
of people like you, whose commitment, warmth, caring and
generosity bring you here on a Saturday evening to honor
and facilitate the health and well-being of those with FD.
Your contributions to FD Hope literally are saving
children's lives. With your support, we are certain to see
the day when FD children will be indistinguishable from
their classmates. We will share their joyous occasions. We
hope to attend their Bat and Bar Mitzvahs, graduations,
weddings and more. I thank you for your time. I thank you
for your support. I thank you for helping transform the
lives of the children we love."
Dr. Anderson, we thank you.
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