Last Day to Vote For Pepsi Refresh Project

Danville mom Paige Nues has been working since June to help the International Rett Syndrome Foundation win a $250,000 research grant from Pepsi. The foundation is in first place, and needs to be in first place at 9 p.m. today to win the grant.

Nues and her husband Jesse have a personal connection to the cause, their 8-year-old daughter, Katie, was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome at 17 months.

Read more about Paige Nues and her work for Rett Syndrome, in a story published earlier this month.

To vote, text 100842 to 73774 (Pepsi)

Here is more information from Paige Nues:

Our daughter, Katie, was diagnosed with a devastating neurological disorder called Rett syndrome  that leaves thousands of girls 100 percent dependent on others for every basic need.

Katie cannot walk, talk, use her hands or eat regular food. She suffers from breathing and sleep irregularities as well as seizures.

Despite these challenges, Katie is an absolutely beautiful little girl who is happy and proves to us every day she can learn, live, love and be loved. She is our inspiration. Despite how serious and devastating this disorder is, there IS hope.

In 2007, researchers reversed these symptoms in the lab.  There is a promising future for Katie if we can just translate this research from mice to humans … and many prominent, conservative researchers and scientists feel it is possible. How can you help?

Pepsi is generously donating millions of dollars to important causes. Remarkably, the International Rett Syndrome Foundation, which I work for, was selected as one of the potential organizations to receive $250,000 in research dollars. And the incredible thing  is that for the foundation it means $500,000 because all "new" donations will be matched through a charitable grant from the Pioneer Fund of Colorado.

• VOTE TODAY – create a login user ID in the lower left corner of the webpage and vote online www.refresheverything.com/rettresearchtoreality
• Easily signup for daily e-mail reminders to vote at www.rettsyndrome.org/get-involved/research-to-reality/campaign - You will not receive email spam from IRSF or Pepsi.
• Ask your friends and family to vote by asking directly, or posting to your Facebook, MySpace, blog or e-mail signatures.  You must be 13 years old to vote online.