Phelan Lucky 2020 - Specialty

Are you ‘Phelan Lucky’? Nope, that’s not a misprint… it’s a play on words (and a successful t-shirt campaign) that has taken the world by storm. Garnering the support of thousands who span the globe and wish to support the efforts of the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation (PMSF), the phenomenon continues to grow exponentially each year. For the past six years, families and supporters, including Hollywood celebrities, Hall of Famers, rock stars, politicians, athletes, philanthropists, and comedians, have been rocking their Phelan Lucky shirts in an attempt to bring attention to the rare disorder, Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS).

PMS is a rare genetic syndrome caused by a deletion or mutation on the q arm of chromosome 22. Individuals with PMS are often diagnosed with autism or autism-spectrum disorders. They also frequently have severe cognitive challenges, are nonverbal and have a propensity for seizures and sleep disorders, in addition to many other behavioral and medical issues. Currently, approximately 2,250 individuals are diagnosed with PMS worldwide; there are likely many more, but PMS often goes undiagnosed.

Our middle child, Jack, is one of the 2,250 people diagnosed with PMS. With the odds stacked against Jack and his peers, you may be wondering why we are Phelan Lucky. Since becoming involved with the foundation, we have realized what the families in the foundation are doing to help my son and all of the PMS kiddos. We feel fortunate to have found a group of parents, doctors, and researchers who are searching for answers, looking for therapeutics and pushing for collaboration and discoveries on ways to make life easier for our children. We were lucky to find them, and they have inspired us to do our part.

Your purchase of Phelan Lucky shirts helps to support our families and fund crucial, ground-breaking scientific research necessary for finding a cure. And as amazing as that is, there is more. Wearing your Phelan Lucky shirt helps to bring much-needed attention and awareness to this rare syndrome. Just ask anyone who has purchased a shirt in the past, the real fun begins when you put your shirt on! Sport your shirt on St. Patrick’s Day, Rare Disease Day (2/29/20), PMS Awareness Day (10/22/20) and literally ANY day you are feeling lucky! Make sure to post to social media and tag us so we can see the difference our shirts are making!

It is an incredible thing to see what an impact such a simple gesture like purchasing a shirt and posting a picture can have, but we have seen it time and time again. YOU are making a difference in the lives of so many families and we could not be more thankful! YOU are one of the many reasons we are PHELAN LUCKY!

Looking forward to seeing all the amazing 2020 Phelan Lucky posts from around the globe!

Thank you, as always, for your support!

Jen & Eric Randolph and everyone at PMSF