{"id":439947,"date":"2025-12-11T11:09:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T11:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/439947\/"},"modified":"2025-12-11T11:09:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T11:09:11","slug":"lurie-childrens-hospital-to-expand-research-in-fight-against-rare-genetic-diseases-thanks-to-11m-donation-from-don-anne-edwards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/439947\/","title":{"rendered":"Lurie Children’s Hospital to expand research in fight against rare genetic diseases thanks to $11M donation from Don, Anne Edwards"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHICAGO (WLS) — An $11 million gift was given in the fight against rare genetic diseases.<\/p>\n

Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood is celebrating a donation that will help provide faster, up-to-date testing and treatment for young patients.<\/p>\n

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24\/7. Click here to watch<\/a><\/p>\n

There were cheers Wednesday for what could be possible to help children with rare genetic disease.<\/p>\n

“A program like the Edwards Division of Genetic and Rare Disease can feel like a miracle, and boy do we need to feel miracles today,” Gov. JB Pritzker said.<\/p>\n

“We will bring the latest genetic sequencing technology to Lurie Children’s; we can find answers for families,” Dr. Carlos Prada said.<\/p>\n

Lurie Children’s Hospital officially announced an expansion of research with the $11 million from Don and Anne Edwards, who call themselves grateful parents of Lurie.<\/p>\n

“Lurie can be the place that leads in the development of tests and therapies that can save lives of thousands of families and children,” Don Edwards said.<\/p>\n

SEE ALSO:<\/strong> Debunking 3 claims about Tylenol after White House links drug use in pregnancy to autism<\/a><\/p>\n

Joining the Edwards Wednesday were other families and patients who have seen the difference genetic therapy can make.<\/p>\n

“We received life-changing care, and now with this gift, offers answers and treatment and options to so many other families,” Beth Robinson said.<\/p>\n

Vivienne, 5, is currently getting treatment for a genetic disorder that typically does not allow the patient to survive childhood.<\/p>\n

“She’s a lot more happy, a lot more active, a lot more alive, and I’m really thankful because now a lot more families will be able to experience that,” sister Veronica Lopez said.<\/p>\n

“It’s literally changed my life forever,” 22-year-old patient Emmanuel Kasongo said.<\/p>\n

Kasongo got treatment for sickle cell, and has been free of bouts with the debilitating disease for a year.<\/p>\n

“Having chronic illness like that is not easy. And children having access to that and fully being able to live out their childhood, it’s something I would have wished for. And I’m really glad they have the opportunity now,” Kasongo said.<\/p>\n

Kasongo said he looks forward to seeing the advances, as his younger sister also has sickle cell.<\/p>\n

Dr. Prada expects to have 75 trials running by 2030.<\/p>\n

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