Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
Hello, my name is Quinn Pruitt and I am 11 years old. I am so excited for this year's Quinn's Cocoa $4 the Cure because I have learned in the last 4 years is that Kindness is Contagious! 4 years ago, when I was 7 years old, wtih the help and kindness of my family, friends and commumity near and far, I set out to sell 5 million cups of real and virtual cocoa to raise enough money to find a cure for my twin sister and Angelman Syndrome. Just because Emma, couldn't talk, walk or do things like others could, she had shown me and everyone who meets her that what makes us different is what makes us special. I knew EmmaI she had so much love and goodness to give the world and I wanted everyone else to know too. To date, that kindness has help us. raise over $206,000, and we aren't done.
In January of 2017, when Emma started at our local elementary school half way through 1st grade, I wanted people to understand my love for her, even though she couldn't talk or play like other kids. I knew that by including her in our school and showing people just how special Emma is, and what makes her different IS what makes her special to our family and to everyone who interacts her was a very important message. 3 weeks later, with the help of my family and friends, I started on a mission to raise money to fund research to find a cure for Emma and all the other angels with Angelman Syndrome. What started as a family lemon-aide stand outside my house and a simple moment of giving $80 to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation the summer before, turned into extended family, friends, and community near and far supporting my goal to sell 5 million cups of $4 cocoa to fund a cure for Emma and all the other angels.
As Emma’s Angels you have truly made an impact for Emma and I am so so so so excited to share that has started her first drug trial and we helped open a new Angelman Syndrome Clinic opening at UCLA to serve Emma and other Angels and their families.
For the 5th year of Quinn’s Cocoa $4 the Cure, I am so excited to share that we are going virtual and welcoming kindness ambassadors to host their own Cocoa $4 the Cure Stands in other parts on the country and much more! Please join my mission as an Emma’s Angel, to spread kindness and find a cure for Emma one warm heart and hand at a time. And thank you for believing in me and my deep love for my sister, it has given me courage and strength to try to continue to grow this very special quest. Hope. Love. Give.
Love, Quinn
Visit Quinn amd Emma's Angels on https://www.facebook.com/donate/1129287040594142/1129287043927475/
About Quinn’s Cocoa for the Cure
Quinn wanted to do something special to raise both awareness and funding for a therapeutic, aka, a cure for his twin sister, Emma, who was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome in 2012. His genuine act of love for his sister was quickly supported by so many people, raising a staggering amount of money from his first Hot Cocoa for the Cure stand, all of which went towards research focused on a cure for Angelman syndrome and supporting families.
With Covid-19 Quinn wants to make sure everyone stays safe and insteading of setting a goal, as we know so many families have been affected, we are asking people to cnsider buying at least one virtual cup of cocoa for $4 a cup to support the cause, as he continues to push toward a cure for Angelman Syndrome and all the angels.
100% of the cocoa donations will go towards research focused on a future cure for Angelman syndrome as well as providing the support AS families need now.
How To Support
Come Visit us for a "VIRTUAL" Cup of Cocoa – and Meet Emma and Quinn!
Sunday, February 28th on World Rare Disease Day, 2021 from 11am - 1 pm
Join us live on Instagram @Quinnscocoaforthecure or on Facebook at @Quinnscocoaforthecure ! We will be beaming in other Cocoa Stand Hosts and sharing the warm hearts and hands as we come together to find a cure for Emma and all the angels!
Click the DONATE NOW button to buy a virtual cup of cocoa.
All support goes directly towards therapeutics and helping other families through the Angelman Syndrome Foundation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit https://www.angelman.org/what-is-as/ for more background about Angelman syndrome and https://www.angelman.org/research/asf-funded-research/ for information on Angelman syndrome research, which is progressing faster than ever towards a cure:
* 1965 - Dr. Harry Angelman first identifies Angelman syndrome
* 1997 - The cause of Angelman syndrome, a missing or improperly functioning UBE3A gene on Chromosome 15, is discovered
* 2007 - Angelman syndrome is cured in lab mice
* October 2012 - Emma diagnosed with Angelman syndrome and THERE ARE NO COMPANIES WITH DRUGS / THERAPEUTICS FOR AS
* 2017 - First Angelman syndrome therapeutic enters clinical testing on adolescents
Today, there are over five drug companies (from start-ups to established) focused on delivering a therapeutic / cure for Angelman syndrome. Scientists believe that a cure for Angelman syndrome will lead to significant breakthroughs for more well-known disorders like Autism, ALS and Parkinson’s.
FOR MEDIA: Email spruitt6@gmail.com for photos and to speak with Quinn’s parents.
Visit www.youtube.com/user/AngelmanSyndromeFdn/featured to access more videos and here www.facebook.com/pg/AngelmanSyndromeFoundation/photos/ for photos featuring individuals with Angelman syndrome and here to speak with a representative from the Angelman Syndrome Foundation about the disorder, research or family support services available.