Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA

Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA We hope you will suggest the PWSA | USA page to your friends! Website: www.pwsausa.org It is the most common genetic cause of obesity.

Prader-Willi syndrome is a non-hereditary birth defect resulting from a disorder of chromosome 15. It is a serious, life-long, and life threatening medical condition occurring in 1:12,000-1:15,000 live births in both genders and all races. It is characterized by hypotonia (low muscle tone), hyperphagia (uncontrollable hunger), cognitive impairments, and difficult behaviors.

March is National Nutrition Month and we're celebrating by sharing a PWS-friendly recipe every Monday of this month. Tod...
03/09/2026

March is National Nutrition Month and we're celebrating by sharing a PWS-friendly recipe every Monday of this month. Today's recipe was shared by Anne Fricke, mom to 14-year-old Freya living with PWS.

Please feel free to make any necessary adaptations to ingredients and measurements based on the needs of your loved one with PWS. These recipes are simply to offer meal ideas for our PWS community.

For more insight on PWS Nutrition, please read this blog by Dietician Michael Tan: https://www.pwsausa.org/nutrition-in-the-pws-family/

Jennifer Andrews, mom to Josephine (9, with PWS) experienced the incredible power of art while in Washington, D.C. last ...
03/08/2026

Jennifer Andrews, mom to Josephine (9, with PWS) experienced the incredible power of art while in Washington, D.C. last week for Rare Disease Week.

"It was incredibly powerful! During the event, the Rare Artists spoke about the power of art to communicate things words can’t. They’ve brought their artwork into congressional offices and shared it with lawmakers, saying, ‘I could tell you about my rare disease, but you can also look at this, and it will tell you everything you need to know.’ They talked about expanding access to art for everyone in the rare disease community as a meaningful form of expression, and about the powerful way art brings people together." - Jennifer Andrews, mom to Josephine (9)

PWSA | USA's Rare Aware Art Share is a way for individuals with PWS to show us who they are and how they advocate for themselves, whether at home, in school, in their community, or legislative offices. This is not a competition or a fundraiser, but simply a way to showcase our loved ones with PWS and create a space for their artistic voice to be heard. This year we're taking this art share to our representatives in D.C.!

There is no right way to advocate or raise awareness. Every voice matters, and every action counts.

We are accepting digital submissions of artwork until April 1, but why wait? Have your loved one create their piece today!

Learn more and submit at https://www.pwsausa.org/pws-rare-aware-art-share/

Today, March 8, begins Sleep Awareness Week. Sleep issues are common in the PWS community so we're taking this time to s...
03/08/2026

Today, March 8, begins Sleep Awareness Week. Sleep issues are common in the PWS community so we're taking this time to share with you some of our valuable resources and blog posts regarding sleep and PWS:

Sleep Disturbances in Prader-Willi syndrome: https://www.pwsausa.org/sleep-disturbances-in-prader-willi-syndrome-2/
Tips for First Time Sleep Studies: https://www.pwsausa.org/tips-for-first-time-sleep-studies/
Sleep Issues and Medications: https://www.pwsausa.org/ask-nurse-lynn-sleep-issues-and-medications/
Sleep Summit Webinar Series: https://www.pwsausa.org/sleepsummit/
First blog in the series following one family in the Harmony TEMPO trial to treat excessive daytime sleepiness: https://www.pwsausa.org/how-we-got-here/
TEMPO trial for excessive daytime sleepiness in PWS: https://www.tempopwsstudy.com/

Please save the date for July 24-26, 2026, for the Dad's Retreat in Alburquerque, New Mexico! Coordinated by Jonathan An...
03/07/2026

Please save the date for July 24-26, 2026, for the Dad's Retreat in Alburquerque, New Mexico! Coordinated by Jonathan Andrews and Matt Rivard, this retreat will be a great opportunity for dads to come together and learn more about themselves and each other while having fun. More information will be released once the details and plans are solidified.

"Patricia, "Tricia", was born into the Prader-Willi community in 1958. Most everything written about Prader-Willi and it...
03/07/2026

"Patricia, "Tricia", was born into the Prader-Willi community in 1958. Most everything written about Prader-Willi and its symptoms and challenges fits Tricia to a tee. It's as if someone looked through the window of her life and documented Prader-Willi. Tricia once weighed over 220 pounds, has had multiple fractures, lives with digestive issues requiring an ostomy, has had psychological and behavioral issues, engages in skin picking, and on and on. She also remembers everyone, does puzzles, enjoys coloring and has a very special friend. Tricia loves life and loves her family. This past year, however, was one of uncertainties for Tricia with several hospital visits, but once again, Tricia surprised us all. She is a fighter and never gives up. On February 1st of this year (2026) Tricia turned 68. What an accomplishment. We love you." - Submitted by Barbara Carlson

Share your Spotlight on PWS at https://www.pwsausa.org/get-involved/share-your-story/

From state capitols to Washington, D.C., and even the global stage, members of the PWS community are stepping up and mak...
03/06/2026

From state capitols to Washington, D.C., and even the global stage, members of the PWS community are stepping up and making an impact.

In our latest blog, you’ll read inspiring stories of advocacy in action, including representation at a legislative lunch in New Hampshire, a special PWS-specific book event with a surprise announcement, national policy conversations during Rare Disease Week, grassroots organizing that protected critical caregiver hours in Nebraska, and global recognition from the World Economic Forum.

These stories are a powerful reminder that when the PWS community shows up, voices are heard and change happens. To read and celebrate the incredible work happening across our community, visit https://www.pwsausa.org/rare-disease-advocacy-in-the-pws-community/.

he Neurodevelopment Research Lab is offering PWS families an opportunity to participate in a direct, in-home play interv...
03/05/2026

he Neurodevelopment Research Lab is offering PWS families an opportunity to participate in a direct, in-home play intervention for preschoolers with PWS.

Who can participate?

Families with a child ages 3-5 with PWS.
An individual who can be trained as a facilitator to administer the 9-week play intervention in person.
Who could be a facilitator?

Any adult regularly providing care the to the child, such as:

Extended family member
Nanny/babysitter
Speech-language or occupational therapist
One-on-one school aide
What does participation involve?

Completing an online training course for play facilitators
A 9-week play intervention with the child and their parent
Families and play facilitators will be compensated for completion of the intervention and assessments.

If you have questions, please email neurodevelopmen​tresearchlab@gm​ail.com or call 216-368-0112. Visit the website at https://caslabs.case.edu/dimitropouloslab/.

Complete the eligibility form at https://redcap.case.edu/surveys/?s=DAJW9NLX7KH99DDH

This week's Resource Spotlight is a booklet for grandparents. Including insights from grandparents in the PWS community,...
03/05/2026

This week's Resource Spotlight is a booklet for grandparents. Including insights from grandparents in the PWS community, this booklet offers suggestions on how to have successful visits with your grandchild, information on diet and becoming an advocate, sharing your own feelings, and where to find help. Whether new to this community or years in, his resource is a great tool for any grandparents wanting a better understanding and perspective on supporting themselves and their loved ones.

Download this booklet athttps://www.pwsausa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/PWSA-Grandparent_Ebooklet-Rebranded-2022.pdf

A few cases reported to IPSWO describe mental health decline with PWS after surgery. This appears rare, but the risk fac...
03/03/2026

A few cases reported to IPSWO describe mental health decline with PWS after surgery. This appears rare, but the risk factors remain clear. The aim of this study is to better understand the problem and whether we can identify risk factors to ultimately precent complication. Caregivers who meet the criteria outlined below will be asked to complete a 30-minute survey.

Who is eligible?
Carers/ guardians or family members who look after people who have genetically or clinically diagnosed PWS and have the following:
at least 1 past surgical procedure requiring general anaesthesia since 2015.
were 12-65 years old at time of the anaesthetic.

For more information, please contact according to your region:
UK/Europe: Tony Holland: tonyipwso@gmail.com or Ajh1008@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Asia/Oceania: Janet Franklin: anet.franklin@health.nsw.gov.au | Georgina Loughnan: Georgina.loughnan@pws.org.au
North America: Mark Lister: Mlister@arcalachua.org
South America: Jorgelina Stegmann: Jstegmann@spine.org.ar

To access the survey, scan the QR code or go to https://redcap.slhd.nsw.gov.au/surveys/. Use the code: KCY7JHAYX

We’re excited to share our latest Sibling Advocacy episode on PWS United. In this ongoing series, we talk with siblings ...
03/03/2026

We’re excited to share our latest Sibling Advocacy episode on PWS United. In this ongoing series, we talk with siblings about how they show up for their loved ones with PWS, whether at the kitchen table, at school, among friends, in government spaces, or anywhere their sibling may need support.

This episode is hosted by Dorothea Lantz, PWSA | USA's Director of Community Engagement and mom to Hunter, living with PWS. She spoke with Kady Sweeney, sister to Klara (15, living with PWS). Kady shares the memory of when she realized PWS was not a typical experience. Finding the moments to laugh and the importance of the typical moments with a loved one with PWS. Kady's mission is for people outside of the rare disease community to recognize the potential of individuals with PWS. She also shares her vision of the future for her sister and others with PWS and how she plans to be a part of it.

Listen to this episode on your favorite podcast app or at https://pwsunited.podbean.com/

The PWS community is invited to join a virtual community conversation regarding the HERO clinical trial and recent annou...
03/02/2026

The PWS community is invited to join a virtual community conversation regarding the HERO clinical trial and recent announcement from Aardvark Therapeutics about the voluntary pause. PWSA | USA and The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research are co-hosting this webinar on Tuesday, March 3 (tomorrow) at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT. We will be joined by Aardvark Therapeutics CEO Tien Lee and Chief Medical Officer Manasi Jaiman, who will speak about the announcement and answer questions from the community.

Please note: This webinar will not be recorded.

Register to attend at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pkArayuFTWy_IrIPIXAvPw #/registration

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1032 E Brandon Boulevard 4744
Brandon, FL
33511

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