2009 Harley Davidson Fatboy Raffle

Benefits the X.P. Family Support Group

Draws on 04/25/09!

Raffle Benefits

The Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) Family Support Group. Please take a moment to learn a bit about this terrifying disease: Xeroderma Pigmentosum (or XP) is a rare inherited disease affecting both males and females. It causes a person to be extremely sensitive to the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. Undiagnosed and untreated, XP can lead to the early onset of skin cancer and blindness. In addition, approximately 20% of the people with XP develop progressive neurological disease.XP is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in genes that are critical for DNA repair. The body must repair DNA when it is damaged by harmful external agents such as ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and chemicals. There are at least eight genes that are critical for this DNA repair process. If a person is born with any of the eight genes not functioning correctly, he or she will develop the symptoms of XP. The genes for XP are: XP-A, XP-B, XP-C, XP-D, XP-E, XP-F, XP-G, and variant XP. Prior to the discovery of the XP genes themselves, the term “complementation groups” was used to describe the laboratory variations seen in the cells of XP patients. The cells were categorized according to the capacity of the cells to repair DNA after they had been damaged by ultraviolet radiation in the laboratory. Mutations in the A, C, D, and Variant genes make up over 90% of XP cases. The main goal of treatment is protection from UV exposure and thus prevention of the damaging effects it can have on the skin. There is currently no cure for XP. What is the prognosis? Many patients with xeroderma pigmentosum die at an early age from skin cancers. However, if a person is diagnosed early, does not have severe neurological symptoms or has a mild variant, and takes all the precautionary measures to avoid exposure to UV light, they may survive beyond middle age. Patients with xeroderma pigmentosum and their families will face many challenges in daily living. Constant educating and reminding of the need to protect oneself from sunlight is paramount to the management of xeroderma pigmentosum.

Raffle Prizes
1ST PRIZE – 2009 Harley Davidson Fat Boy.
2ND PRIZE – $500.00 Harley Davidson Gift Certificate.
3RD PRIZE – $250.00 Gas Card.

Raffle Tickets and Info

Tickets are $20 each or 6 tickets for $100! Only 2500 tickets will be sold! For more information on the Harley raffle, to buy tickets online, to find out more about the XP Family Support Group and more visit their website at XPFamilySupport.org. You can also download the raffle ticket flyer right HERE. This raffle draws on April 25th, 2009. Thanks!