FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2016
Media Contact: Casey Cashman
Email: [email protected]
Queens, NY (April 15th, 2016)–An 11-year-old recently orchestrated a school-wide walk to honor his brother living with an incurable chronic pain condition. On April 15th, Derek Kilpatrick led his classmates and school staff around the JHS 194 Middle School grounds. The walk came after Kilpatrick learned of a child-friendly fundraising program known as Points for Pain. The campaign initiative was curated by 13-year-old Tyler Cashman, a Tewksbury, New Jersey resident who has been speaking to local schools about the Points for Pain program.
“At first I wanted to raise awareness and funds for children living with chronic pain conditions,” Cashman said. “Although that is still the primary goal, I’m also visiting schools to teach other kids ways that they can hold a fundraising sporting event or walk to provide necessary programs for pediatric pain warriors.”
Points for Pain is a new fundraising addition to U.S. Pain Foundation, which has raised thousands of dollars to date.
Kilpatrick’s Knock Out RSD walk, which highlighted the bravery of his 13-year-old brother Tyler, raised a total of over $16,000. The dollars will be used to continue efforts of U.S. Pain’s Pediatric Pain Warriors Program, which includes the Pediatric INvisible Project, a week-long family summer camp for children living with chronic pain (Center for Courageous Kids) and a Take Control of Your pain educational event.
“We are so proud of Derek’s efforts to educate his community about his brother’s condition, known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) while supporting U.S. Pain Foundation’s pediatric pain program,” stated Tyler Cashman’s mother, Casey Cashman. “To see how one child can make a positive difference and influence fellow peers to join this beneficial fundraising program is nothing short of extraordinary.”
The Kilpatrick family plans to attend this year’s pediatric pain camp, which is 100% handicap-accessible and affords children living with pain the opportunity to participate in all summer camp activities.
“When I heard that Derek wanted to honor his brother and support the pediatric programs under U.S. Pain, I was elated,” explained Paul Gileno, President and Founder of U.S. Pain Foundation. “Every child who took a step to validate the Kilpatrick family and Tyler’s condition is another significant step towards eliminating the societal stigma surrounding the complex disease of chronic pain.”
Another walk is tentatively planned for next year, with additional Points for Pain fundraising events scheduled in 2017.
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About U.S. Pain Foundation
U.S. Pain Foundation is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to serving those who live with pain conditions and their care providers. The organization helps individuals find resources and inspiration through its various programs, advocacy efforts and awareness initiatives.