My name is Jessica and I am a Child Life Specialist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childre's Hospital of Chicago.  I am reaching out today on behalf of our 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome Department in the hope that you would be willing to support our "22q ath the Zoo" event on May 18, 2025 with monetary support or a donation of a raffle item.  

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, also known as DiGeorge Syndrome or Velocardiofacial Syndrome, is a genetic condition present the moment of conception that can affect the body in a variety of ways, including the heart and palate defects, immune deficiencies, speech and swallowing difficulties, developmental delays, and psychological and behavioral complications.  

Lurie Children's Hospital was the first group of multidisciplinary pediatric experts in Illinois dedicated to provide comprehensive management and care for children and young adults with 22q.  This program remains to be unique in the way that families can see multiple providers from a variety of specialities during their half-day clinic, instead of needing to travel to the hospital for multiple separate appointments.  Many of these families come from far away.  

This event is an opporunity for the 22q community to get together, meet each other, attend educational presentations about 22q and our team here at Lurie, and then enjoy time at the zoo.  Any profits from the raffle or monetary donations will go directly to funding this event for future years.  

Thank you for your consideration!