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On Friday, March 12, an estimated 600 people attended “Dance for PWS!” sponsored by APX Alarm. The event featured an awards ceremony, live auction and dinner to help raise funds for Prader-Willi Syndrome, a complex genetic disorder that causes cognitive impairment, weak muscle tone, respiratory disorders, and an insatiable appetite that can lead to morbid obesity and early death.

The APX Alarm Conference Center provided the perfect venue for the dance awards ceremony emceed by Amanda Dickson of KSL Radio. APX Alarm donated the $1,750 in prize money and hosted the event in their new corporate HQ facility. The event turned out to be a huge success with the Utah Prader-Willi Syndrome Association able to raise over $19,000 to help Utah families struggling with members of their family who suffer from this genetic disorder.

The funds will help send all the children to camp Kostopulos this summer and help run the medical clinic for the children and provide training for their parents.

Lisa Thornton, president of the Utah Prader-Willi Association said, “We couldn’t have held the event without the generosity and support of APX. APX Alarm lives up to its mission to protect families and generously provide assistance to help those in need in Utah. Thank you!”

The mission of the Utah Prader-Willi Syndrome Association is to provide families and professionals with a network of support, resources and information, to promote awareness of the syndrome and raise funds that will directly benefit Utahn’s with PWS. In addition, the association facilitates opportunities to congregate pro-active individuals who can pool talents, resources, ingenuity and vision to produce more options, increase quality of life, and create a brighter future for individuals with PWS.”

If you wish to view the winning dance entries, you can do so at www.upwsa.org/dance.

A family very near us has a daughter my younger daughter’s age, and this cute, friendly girl has Prader-Willi Syndrome. This is a rare, complicated genetic disorder. She has a hard time learning new things. She is also kind and so sweet, absolutely outgoing and only thinks the best of people. My own kid’s friendship with her is pure — they play, annoy the family pets, and forget to clean up their toys. All the regular playdate stuff. We adore our neighboring family’s children (all of them) but know that this friendship is special in ways that are hard to define without getting too mushy.

This year, the Prader-Willi California Foundation’s annual Los Angeles Walkathon is today, in Van Nuys. The Vacation Gals are happy to contribute $100 to PWCF: The funds get put to crisis support, research, and education for families and healthcare practitioners.