Guest Speaerk - Kirsten Harkins

Our speaker this week was the executive director for The Canadian Society for Mucopolysaccharide - MPS.  Most people have not heard of this disease - it is caused by an enzyme deficiency inherited from both parents.  The society has been advocating and educating medical professionals for the past thirty years.  Often a child is misdiagnosed as a lot of family doctors are unaware of MPS.  There are different types of MPS and there is now treatment for some of them.  The prognosis for children with this disease can range from a near normal existence to passing on by age 13 or 14.  Research is being done at UBC for further treatment options.  Kirsten was thanked by IPP Ilan Heller.