PAI Celebrity Spokesperson

[Guest guest]

Donna,

That isn't a crazy idea. We do need a celebrity spokesperson. Every

organization has one, of course they are also paid. If there was anyone who

ever got Chronic Pancreatitis, it would be easier to get them to adopt this

as a project. The few public names that have been referred to us have had

Acute Pancreatitis, and then it resolved. The other problem I notice is that

some people don't want to go public because of the " image " that the disease

has. Gheesh!, that is why we need a prominent spokesperson.

I try and stay in touch with the local hospitals and drop by to visit

'lonely' patients. I don't know why, but the social worker says that the

Pancreatitis patients have the highest percentage of absentee families. What

I think is really happening is that, since there are so many repeated

hospitalizations, and since the patients come from so far away places,

families just can't visit as much as they want.

I am having some mylar balloons made up to take to patients in the hospitals.

I also found out that many florists will donate their left over flowers which

they cannot sell, so I can take people flowers for free.

If anyone goes to the CafePress Pancassociation Gift shop, notice the cards

that are available. I am interested in getting ideas to put on the cards, but

mainly, something to write inside. Pancreatitis specific cards. No one likes

receiving " Get well Soon! " So if anyone wants to write up some little jingles

I will put them in the cards. Ideas are cards to give people who had an ERCP,

or admitted to the hospital ... again, and congratulatory cards, too! " Glad

you are off TPN! " Any artist out there can submit me their work, too.

Donna, thanks for your continued brainstorming.

Blessings,

Karyn E. , RN

Exec. Director, PAI

Indianapolis, IN

The PAI serves as a means of support, information, and advocacy. The PAI

cannot offer medical advice or direction nor substitute for your health care

provider.

[Guest guest]

Karyn,

What about someone like the Dixie Chicks? I chuckle as I type this,

because who needs a PR facelife more than them right now? Maybe we'd make

them look like nice gals again.....LOL

See - we offer them the appearance of compassion (and appearances are

EVERYTHING, dontcha know~) in trade for international representation and

spokesmanship..

Donna