Dear FML Family:

In 2008, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Pittsburgh,
Pa. where Dr. Robert Wagner had agreed to allow three of my ferrets
to participate in the Deslorelin implant study through Peptech, Inc.
Including those three initial Des implants, we have again been blessed
with positive results from use of an additional ten.

I'm not sure whether Dr. Wagner or myself realized the ongoing
relationship that would develop from this agreement. Over the years I
have worked with many to get information to them about the implants,
how to purchase them and often working as a liaison with them and Dr.
Wagner to get his insight to possible problems. At the same time, I
faithfully relayed information to Doc sometimes as formal research
information and at other times as anecdotal.

Feeling a bit sentimental this past Christmas, I dropped a short e-mail
to my dear friend Jackie and Doc Wagner thanking them both for their
involvement in getting my kids into the program. The implants had
provided such quality lives for all my ferrets receiving them. The
reply that I received from Doc Wagner was: "If the ferret community
wants to thank me, get them to give me money for more research!" So,
began my involvement in helping even more ferrets to live healthier,
longer and fuller lives with their families. Little did I know I would
lose the last of the the three ferrets who took that special road trip
to Pittsburgh and adopted Jackie DeCarlo as a very special Auntie, just
days after this commitment.

Many of you know of Sharon Beardon and her work with the IFC and SOS.
Over the past year, I have gotten to know Sharon better working behind
the scenes to help shelters in trouble or need of guidance from SOS. It
made sense to me to drop Sharon a note and mention my new project. Talk
about contacting the right person at the right time. The perfect time
in fact!! The IFC was planning on supporting research for ferrets at
the Arizona Symposium.

I am pleased to say Sharon and I are thrilled to be working together to
collect funds from appreciative folks that have been helped not only by
the research of Doc Wagner, but so many of our great vets who have
chosen to examine and explore the diseases and causes that shorten our
ferrets' lives.

This year, the IFC will be giving money to both Doctor Robert Wagner
and Dr. Matti Kiupel. If you haven't decided what to do with that tax
return money this year, I have a suggestion. Donate some of it to Doc
Wagner and some of it to Doc Kiupel by writing a check and designating
it to the vet of your choice or give some to both. The IFC will be
cutting a check for a given amount to each researcher and adding your
donations as specified, to each vet.

Sharon will be accepting the checks or money orders at her address (see
below) and sending receipts - this is a tax deductible donation. I am
waiting on a pay pal addy for the IFC, if that is your choice of
donation mode. I will be cross posting (you are welcome also to cross
post any of this information)

More information about the past work and future work of these
researchers will follow. We are limited to April 30Th as the last day
funds can be accepted so preparations and printings may be included in
the symposium program. Sharon will be providing a page in the event
program with names of donors or names of their fur kids as a thank-you
for donations.

Checks may be written to the (International Ferret Congress) IFC and
mailed to Sharon, please designate your monies to one or both vets.

Sharon Bearden, IFC
1245 Curtis Switch Rd
Mineral Bluff, GA 30559

Give this some thought, mull it over, think about the lives lost
because we did not have the research monies to find an answer and
provide a solution. Hopefully, you will also be able to smile and be
thankful for ferrets that have lived fuller lives because of melatonin
implants, Lupron, Des implants, Prednisolone or Pediapred. Think about
the possibilites of solutions to corona viruses, better help for
lymphoma or even a cure for cancers.

I will continue to post additional information the coming days. Levels
for individual and business donations are available. I suspect if your
vets are excited about having another tool in their "little black bag"
to help their patients, they would be happy to donate. Perhaps you know
a business tht might like to donate as well.

More to follow. Hugs to all your babies and love to all those who have
left us.

Respectfully, Cathy Ryan and Sharon Beardon

Feed rescued animals in two clicks
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

[Posted in FML 6975]