Hey, Everybody,
I just found out about this:
Hopkins: New Help For Graves Disease
February 10, 1998
BALTIMORE (Johns Hopkins) – They call her husband baseball’s Iron
Man. Baltimore Oriole Cal Ripken has played in more consecutive
games than any other major leaguer. But Kelly Ripken is an Iron
Woman.
For three years she bravely struggled with Graves disease, a
thyroid disorder that speeds up the body’s metabolism. She was
plagued with a nagging headache, and couldn’t sleep or control
her appetite. Two years and a dozen doctors later, a simple
blood test correctly diagnosed her problem and she began
treatment.
Today, Kelly Ripken is trying to make sure no one else suffers as
she did. She’s donating $250,000 to fund a new outreach and
education center for people with Graves disease and other thyroid
disorders. Ripken says the center, based at Johns Hopkins in
Baltimore, is sorely needed.
“Five years from now I’d like to know that when I walk down the
street, people will come up to me and say ‘Hey Kelly, thanks a
lot. I had thyroid (problems) and I was at my wits end. I
called your program and now my life’s turned around and I feel
great,'” says Ripken.
The information center will include a phone line staffed by
trained medical professionals who can answer questions about
Graves disease. The toll-free number is 1-888-595-2131.
Copyright The Johns Hopkins University, 1998. All rights
reserved.
Maybe this will pan out!
Elisa
