Connor+B.

=**Wiki Post #1 : Progeria - October 15th, 2013**= =Description:= Also known as "Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome", Progeria is an extremely rare genetic disorder where signs of aging are visible at a VERY young age. The known cases of Progeria are ridiculously low with an estimated 1 in 8 MILLION births. "The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button", which was actually written as a novel in 1922, is a quick example and comparison I would like to mention because throughout the movie/novel, the idea of Progeria is brought up and toyed with slightly. Sadly enough, infants who do have Progeria typically live no later than their late teens to early twenties.

Over Facebook for a long time, a young lady by the name of Hayley Okines was appearing everywhere. She was diagnosed with Progeria at the age of 2 and is now 13. Hayley has travelled the world and given her best effort to raise as much awareness as possible on not only Progeria but many other diseases as well. Hayley is the **//1//** in **//8 million//**.

Below is her book which is available just about anywhere.



=Cause:= In 2003, Progeria was shared scientifically as a point mutation in position 1824 of the LMNA gene. In this case, cytosine was replaced with thymine. In the process of transcription, to put it simply, the LMNA gene is stopped too early which leaves us with a shorter mRNA transcript. On the end of this LMNA gene and shortened mRNA transcript is an unusual protein referred to as "progerin" which is bound to nuclear rim therefore does not actually become a piece of the nucleus. Because of this, the organization of chromatin during mitosis is not able to function properly which limits the cells ability to divide.

=Adalia Rose:= Adalia is a 5 year old girl who also suffers from Progeria. Adalia's mother and researchers say that her body is aging 8 times faster than ours would. She became Facebook Famous just like Hayley did, had the opportunity to travel the world and raise money and awareness because that was exactly what she wanted to do.



Adalia has been everywhere. []

=**Further Reading:**= [] - Involves press articles, interviews, blurbs, etc. based on Hayley and her mother Kerry Okines' story!

[] - Generous help for the research of Progeria!

[] - Kraft had such a sudden impact on a certain sports team owner that he too felt the urge to help!

[] [] [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progeria#Cause] [] []