Rett Syndrome gets a boost from MSNBC!

The International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) is the recipient of an extremely gracious, generous and incredible donation…advertisement design and space for an entire day onwww.msnbc.com!

The MSNBC website generates 3 million visitors per day, and likely even more on Feb 24^th with coverage of the Vancouver Winter Olympics . It is estimated that 15% of those visitors will click on the IRSF advertisement, which will bring them to our website: www.rettsyndrome.org. This means there will be an additional 450,000 people learning about and donating to the cause we all hold so near and dear to our hearts—Rett syndrome!

On this day, IRSF’s website will be unveiling and promoting the newly established Research to Reality campaign which is out of the starting gate with an incredible $1 million Pioneer Fund Matching Grant award.

IRSF hopes this will be the largest online giving day in Rett syndrome history! And to think—it will all be doubled through the matching grant!

How can you help?

• Mark your calendar to visit www.msnbc.com on February 24^th

• Donate whatever amount you feel comfortable with to IRSF on this day

• If you have not done so already, join Facebook and become an IRSF Fan before February 24^th…this can be found atwww.facebook.com/rettsyndrome

• Visit the Research to Reality webpage found underwww.rettsyndrome.org > Get Involved to learn about this exciting and promising campaign

• Contact your local NBC affiliates to share this news, as well as your personal connection to Rett syndrome, especially if they have covered your event or story in the past (make sure to reference past coverage date(s), headline, and lead reporter)

• Encourage your friends, family members, co-workers, contacts and other Rett families to do all of the above as well—it is simple…

• Forward this email or write your own email including the wording above
• Add the following statement and attached logo to your email signature, blog, website and/or Facebook status page regularly between now and February 24^th: “Visit www.msnbc.com on February 24^th to show your support for Rett syndrome!”
• Make the Research to Reality logo your Facebook image for the day of February 24^th and post a reminder to visitwww.msnbc.com to your Status
• Pledge to learn something about Rett syndrome on February 24^thand spread the news in support of World Rare Disease Day on February 28^th

This is a very exciting opportunity for every one of us affiliated with the International Rett Syndrome Foundation—whether you are a parent, grandparent, relative or friend caring for someone diagnosed with Rett syndrome…or a researcher working feverishly to find the answers to solve the mystery of Rett syndrome…or simply just a caring individual who wants to help make a difference in the lives of so many…

Your help is their hope…they are waiting patiently…but now is the time to make a difference. We need YOU!

Please let me know if you have any questions—I am happy to answer them or help you make this day a success.