Bellaflies funds life-changing pediatric stroke research at UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) VIPS (Vascular effects of infection in Pediatric Stroke Study) Team and Bellaflies partnered in 2014 to fight pediatric stroke. Since then we have continued to support their pediatric stroke research and we are excited to tell you about their findings.

Our joint goal was to figure out why strokes happen in children like Bella, and how physicians and researchers can prevent them. Bellaflies’ funding helped them figure out that children with a stroke have an increased risk of having a second stroke, especially if they have diseased arteries to the brain. They also discovered with the pediatric stroke research grant that inflammation plays a role in the progression of the arterial disease in children with stroke, and increases the risk of a second stroke.

The second study we funded at UCSF helped them figure out that herpes viruses (the cause of chicken pox and cold sores) are an important trigger for pediatric stroke even if the infection is not presenting with symptoms. The most recent study we funded focused on stroke in the very young. They found that children who are very young are less likely to have a headache at the time of the stroke, but more likely to have seizures. The very young are more likely to have strokes from blood clots in the heart, but can still have diseased arteries to the brain. This research is just the beginning!

This team of Vascular effects of Infection in Pediatric Stroke (VIPS) researchers is made up of data from 355 children who have had a stroke from 37 different hospitals, 5 continents, 9 countries around the globe who are all united in stopping pediatric strokes!

 

Bellaflies funds testing for previously undetectable virus

We are thrilled to announce that our 2013 donation to Arkansas Children’s Hospital was extremely successful! As a direct result of your support, ACH is now able to detect a whole new genus of viruses, called parechoviruses. We can’t stress how important the impact of this work is. Prior to this grant, this virus was previously undetectable at ACH. Now that they are able to identify this genus of viruses, doctors and researchers will be able to report on the these viruses for the entire state of Arkansas and the surrounding region, contributing to an even greater understanding of these issues at a national level. Dr. Romero, Chief, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Director, Clinical Trial Research , says he plans to use this data to improve long-term outcomes in children. We could not be more pleased with the direction that he is taking with this exciting new testing!

Here is a little bit about what a parechovirus or human parechovirus (HPeV) is. HPeV is divided into 2 species, A and B, and A consists of 16 different types.  HPeV infections are a frequent cause of infection in childhood. The clinical presentation is diverse, and varies from mild gastrointestinal infections to more severe diseases like meningitis and sepsis leading to mortality.

Cerebrospinal fluid, blood and feces have the highest sensitivity for detecting HPeV. After a primary HPeV infection, there is still a possibility of viral shedding in the feces and respiratory system for several weeks. Although, HPeV is a frequent cause of serious infection in children, there are limited tools available to fight these viruses. There is no treatment for HPeV infections, and little is known about the long-term prognosis of HPeV infections. (Information is from the National Institutes of Health)

If you have supported The Bellaflies Foundation this victory is yours! Your dedication to Making a Positive is improving and saving lives, and that is what Bella’s foundation is all about!

 

Thank you for supporting Strides for Strokes 2016!!

Screen Shot 2016-05-26 at 6.00.49 PMWe are ABSOLUTELY THRILLED to announce that Strides for Strokes 2016 has been our most successful year to date!! We are able to donate $9,000 to pediatric stroke research and education!!! The donations were still rolling in yesterday, so we wanted to make sure that everything was counted. THANK YOU to everyone who signed up, showed up, and committed to Making a Positive with us near and far!!!

Mark you calendars Strides for Strokes 2017 will take place on Friday, May 12th, 2017!!!

***We have a couple SFS 2016 T-shirts available in Youth S (2), Youth M (2), & Youth L(2), and Adult S (2) & Adult M (1). If you would like one please contact Janelle@bellaflies.org***

Bellaflies Auction Items

Here is a list of our Strides for Strokes 2016 Auction items! The list continues to grow. We will have debit/credit card readers at the event, but cash is preferred for speed and ease of transaction.

 

Auction Items

Cardinals Tickets-2 reserved seats

Spa Botanica- 60 minute Swedish Massage

Hog Yardzee

RTIC Tumbler with Hog Decal

Does Eat Place

Bariola’s PIzza- Free pizza

Fast Lanes Family Fun Pack

Academy- $50 gift card(s)

Lewis & Clark- Climbing Party

Tulsa Zoo- Tickets for 6 people

Junk Brands- gift basket

Rodan + Fields-gift basket

Maude Boutique-$100 gift card

31 Company- Utility Tote

Painting with a Twist- gift card

High Rise VIP Passes

District Salon

Sola Salon

Jump! Zone- 10 Kid Party Pack

Golden Coral- Meal Tickets

Jack Links- gift basket

Happy Baby- gift basket

Valere Rene Travel Trio

Valere Rene Bag

Street Dogs Food Truck

Casey’s Gas Station- $100

Pennington’s Cutting Boards

Piggy Paint- gift basket

Custom Baby Boy Quilt

Custom Baby Girl Quilt

Freckle’s and Sunshine- gift basket

Disney Bows

Dance Bows

Holiday Bows

AND MUCH MORE!!!