Progeria Awareness brought to the World stage

In 1980, it was brought to Bill and Sunshine Foundation’s attention that a young boy in South Africa had a dream to visit Pinocchio. The inspiration for Fransie’s dream came as he saw himself in a mirror. Due to his aged appearance, which is a symptom among many of Hutchinson-Gilford Syndrome, Fransie felt in some way he was related to this wooden puppet. Upon learning of Francie’s dream, Sunshine Foundation flew Fransie and his family to Disneyland, where he saw Pinocchio.

After the publication of an article about Fransie’s dream coming true, Sunshine began receiving correspondence from other families whose children had similar characteristics. The following June 1981, Sunshine sponsored the first gathering of all known children suffering from Hutchinson-Guildford Progeria. The following June, the first of 27 Annual Progeria Reunions took place, which included bringing all children from throughout the world together so, as Bill wanted it, “the children would not feel alone”.

Sunshine Foundation is proud to have brought the awareness of children with Progeria to the world’s attention that would go on to inspire another organization to work to find a cure.