ZAFGEN’S PIVOTAL PHASE 3 TRIAL OF BELORANIB IN PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME ACHIEVES CO-PRIMARY EFFICACY ENDPOINTS
Zafgen has released the results of the Phase 3 clinical trial of Beloranib in PWS (the “bestPWS” study). Note that PWSA (USA) and FPWR are planning a joint webinar in the next few days to review the findings and implications of the trial with the PWS community – more details will be available soon. ...
PWSA (USA) and Shriner Hospital Partnership
I am so pleased and privileged to announce the new partnership between PWSA (USA) and Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. This relationship is exciting and, indeed, hopeful. During the 2015 PWSA (USA) National Conference I was fortunate to be introduced to Ms. Cheryl Stauss, former First Lady of Shriner’s International. Cheryl served as First Lady of...
Help Us Learn More: Survey on Dangerous Condition in PWS
Survey: Vascular Blood Clots, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and/or Thrombosis in Prader-Willi Syndrome Our recent review of causes of death at PWSA (USA) has increased our awareness of the risk of death due to blood clots to the lungs/ pulmonary embolism’s(PE’s) in Prader-Willi syndrome. Additionally, there have been two PE sudden deaths during a recent...
PWSA (USA) Supports Two New Important Studies!
Calling all fathers! A study on the role of PWS male caregivers has been approved by PWSA (USA). Dr. Leon Caldwell has been awarded a grant to do a study on the needs and issues of PWS fathers and other male caregivers. The purpose of this study is to learn about the coping and parenting...

Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.