Arizona-based Picazzo’s Healthy Italian Kitchen raised $2,500 for Rett Syndrome Research Trust in a campaign that ran throughout October.
Picazzo’s, which has locations in Sedona, Scottsdale, Tempe, Paradise Valley, Arrowhead and Gilbert, Arizona, expanded its “Raising for Rett” campaign in honor of Rett Syndrome Awareness Month. The goal, according to Chris Disney, Picazzo’s managing partner, was to raise both funds and awareness for this extremely rare syndrome which combines the symptoms of autism, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, epilepsy and anxiety disorder.
Disney’s own three-year-old daughter, Collyns, was diagnosed with the syndrome just last year.
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After donating $1 for every dessert sold at all six Picazzo’s locations for the month and selling purple Rett Syndrome bracelets, the restaurant group raised a total of $2,500 for Rett Syndrome Research Trust.
Disney says in addition to raising funds, Picazzo’s was successful in raising awareness for Rett Syndrome as well, through a month-long social media education campaign and informational materials in the restaurants.
“We’re extremely encouraged because research has identified the genetic cause of Rett Syndrome and gene replacement trials are getting us closer to finding a cure that could dramatically alter our daughter’s quality of life,” Disney said. “For those who want to support this cause, we are donating $1 for every cookie sold at all locations on an ongoing basis, and donations can also be made directly to Picazzo’s ‘Raising for Rett’ campaign at https://rettgive.org/campaigns/supporting-rett-syndrome-research/”
Rett Syndrome Research Trust Cure 360 has six genetic-based approaches to finding a cure: gene replacement, gene editing, MECP2 gene reactivation, RNA editing, RNA trans-splicing, and protein replacement. Read more about these six promising strategies at https://reverserett.org/research/cures/ and learn more about Rett Syndrome at https://reverserett.org/about-rett-syndrome/.
