Getty Owl Foundation

BREAKING NEWS! FDA Approval

From Kate:

Today is a moment so many, many, many, families have been waiting for. My mind is a bit scattered right now, but for now, this is what we know.

I wish I could describe my thoughts and feelings articulately, but I can’t so I will just get back in bed with Getty and snuggle her.

If you have a moment, please read.

“We are seriously in uncharted territory in the SMA community today. We finally have a viable treatment for SMA. This one counts folks and we are just so beside ourselves in celebration. This treatment does not discriminate. It is for all types! ALL types!!!!

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm534611.htm

Our love goes out to all SMA families. Our hearts are with all angels and warriors and their families.”

The Tradition Continues!

From Kate:

Ever since Getty was little, she has always enjoyed watching some form of dance. Music is also one of her favorites. It really doesn’t matter what, honestly, she enjoys the beat, the motion, and the costumes that come with any production. When she was just over two years old, I got a performance of The Nutcracker for her to watch and she was instantly glued to the screen. Her eyes jumped around with the ballet dancers and she would smile when there was an exciting change of music. As November rolled around that year, I started to ponder whether we could actually go to a performance of The Nutcracker.

We are so fortunate to have an amazing ballet here in Sacramento. The Sacramento Ballet is absolutely extraordinary. To the dancers, to the production, to the music. They do such an amazing job of putting on a top notch performance. With that said, I started to work on logistics.

Having a child with a fragile immune system, complicated needs, and an overall consumption of details, I initially was a bit worried about whether we could pull this off. After speaking with the rep on the phone (I think I took up pretty much her morning), I was convinced that we could make this work.

Our first trip was in 2013 and we have been back ever since. Actually now I think it if fair to say that we wouldn’t miss it! It is tradition!

I would like to first thank the Sacramento Ballet, the Sacramento Community Center Theater, and all of the staff that seriously help make our time so memorable.

For us, it is not just buying tickets to a ballet. It is so much more than that. It is having a safe entrance and exit for Getty if we need to make a quick getaway in case of an emergency. It is working with a staff that understands that we need a bit of flexibility by way of seating Getty just right so she can see and be comfortable. It is the seating in the first place, that allows anyone needing accessibility to have literally front row access and great visibility to see the amazing performance. There are moments when I can stand back after an experience out with Getty and say, “These people just get it!” And this is that time. Thank you all.

Getty always wears a super fancy dress. It is always a special day for her to hear all of the voices in the theater before the performance. See all of the pretty dresses so many women and children wear for the special day. The curtain and stage is immense and I know she gets a kick out of being at such a special place. My eyes are always locked on her as the curtain goes up. Her eyes show that of wonder, elation, and such intense approval of this day. It is so beautiful to watch her. She sings along in certain places and it is obvious what parts she enjoys more than others. Her heart rate jumps during certain parts as well as long squeals of approval. It is breathtaking to watch her eyes pop out of her head when the nutcracker comes to life. 🙂 The constant change of music and scenes are just so cool to her. It is so fun to watch.

Intermission is NOT so fun. She immediately cries and is pretty inconsolable. But you see, this is Getty’s world, so dancers and the orchestra are not supposed to need time to rest. 🙂 Once the curtain goes back up she immediately forgives them. 🙂

So this year was no different, Getty loved it and we will be back next year.

Traditions are awesome! 5th Anniversary coming next year. So excited!

iPad Recipients Announced!!!!!

From Kate:

Well it is time!

First and foremost, we would like to thank everyone for entering our giveaway. We are so thankful to have the means to hold an iPad giveaway and we hope to hold another one next holiday season. The hope is to make this a Getty Owl Foundation tradition.

So here we go. We would like to announce the 5 iPad Recipients.

Congratulations to:

Charlie Sykora

Gavin Davis

Casey O’Neill

Haley Wooding

Aurora Knowles

Enjoy you guys! All of our SMA warriors deserve technology such as an iPad. We hope to help get more into the hands of some incredibly deserving human beings. For now, your are our first 5! 🙂 We would love to get a picture of each of you enjoying your new iPad. When time permits, send us over a picture, we would love to share them.

6th Annual Getty Owl Run/Walk Is HERE!

From Kate:

Early online registration has begun for the 6th Annual Getty Owl Run/Walk.

Please join us Sunday, February 26, 2017!

We are so excited to celebrate another awesome year with our local and virtual community. A huge thank you to everyone who has made our annual Getty Owl Run/Walk such a fun event. We are so thankful to our Sacramento community for also offering Getty Owl Foundation a solid platform for SMA awareness.

The Getty Owl Run/Walk helps us raise needed funds for research and for families affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Supplies, life saving equipment, and transportation systems to name a few, are all necessary and are also expensive. We would not be able to support families without the graciousness of so many that participate in our annual Run/Walk.

Currently we are holding a giveaway for 5 iPad minis for five deserving members of our SMA community. While we do not know the recipients yet, what we do know is the impact that this device will have on them. SMA may weaken muscles, but it does not inhibit the brain. An iPad can help create and strengthen a strong sense of curiosity and intellectualism. Because of funds raised through our event, we hope to continue the good work in getting iPads into the hands of many deserving warriors.

Over the past five years, Getty Owl Foundation has raised over $180,000 through the Getty Owl Run/Walk. Our sincerest appreciation to all of our sponsors, participants, family, and friends who have supported us.

So here we go!

ONLINE REGISTRATION CLICK HERE!

RACE DETAILS CLICK HERE!

Here is a sneak peek at our 6th Annual Getty Owl Run/Walk tech shirts.

Big thank you to Paul Le, from Paul Le Designs for his awesome talent.

Check out all of the AMAZING SPONSORS who are supporting us. Without them, we could not continue to do the good work we do.

If you know of a business that would like to support the 6th Annual Getty Owl Run/Walk, here is our SPONSOR KIT.

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like A Giveaway: SMA Style

From Kate:

The primary reason for creating Getty Owl Foundation was really to offer a chance to give back to a community that has done so much for our family. When we needed sound advice, when we needed a supportive virtual or physical hug, and when we needed a community to rally around our little lady, the SMA community was always there. We will never take that for granted and we are acutely aware of how special relationships like these are to us. We often say that without the love of our family, friends, and SMA community, we aren’t quite sure how this story would have been written. There have been way too many close calls with Getty’s life to think that any of this could have been positively accomplished in isolation.

Since creating Getty Owl Foundation, we have met some incredible human beings. Some that have absolutely no connection with SMA at all and many who are intimately touched by SMA. They wanted to help and they did and they are making a difference for SMA families. It is through donations to our foundation that we have the ability to hold a really awesome giveaway.

A really quick backstory: Getty was gifted an iPad when she was about 5 months old. While SMA affects children differently, there are some consistencies. Weak muscles can inhibit a child from manipulating objects. Luckily, there is an app for that, and just about everything else! So, even though Getty is not able to hold and shake maracas, she is able to touch a screen and play the instrument that way. There are so many apps that give children like Getty a chance to play an instrument, read along with a book, color with the slightest touch. The list goes on. The iPad gives our kids a chance to see things in nature that they may not be able to see in person. It has been a joy to watch Getty make her own choices.

For us, the iPad has been such a blessing. So, why a giveaway? Well, why not? 🙂

The reason for this giveaway is two-fold. One, devices like an iPad can be expensive. With all of the other costs associated with caring for a person with SMA, an iPad sometimes gets bumped down the list. Two, well, it’s the holiday season! We want to help 5 people with SMA get a great learning, entertainment, language acquisition device that can grow with them and give them more independence.

So here are the details:

Getty Owl Foundation will be giving away 5 iPad minis.

This giveaway is for people with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) only. While we are aware that many people could benefit from an iPad, Getty Owl Foundation’s primary commitment is to individuals with SMA.

When can we apply?: Now.

Deadline: Thursday, December 8th @6pm PST.

When will giveaway recipients be announced?: Friday, December 9th @ 10am PST.

*No purchase necessary.

*One entry per candidate. (Duplicate entries will be void.)

*If you have any questions please email me at hoot@gettyowl.org

Online Application: Click HERE