New Educational Program to Support Families of Children With
Cerebral Palsy, Launched by “Reaching for the Stars. A Foundation of
Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy”
Program includes multiple Town Hall events with multi-disciplinary care teams
and introduction of CPTV ‘videos on demand’ with additional website resources
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. and ATLANTA, G.A., March 21, 2017 – Blazing New Trails™, a new
educational initiative, launched today to bring information and support to families impacted by
Cerebral Palsy (CP). The goal of the program is to educate patients with CP and their families
about the latest updates in overall management, physical and occupational therapies, and
adaptive technologies that may help children living with CP and lower limb spasticity. Blazing
New Trails™ is presented by “Reaching for the Stars. A Foundation of Hope for Children with
Cerebral Palsy”, in collaboration with nonprofit organization BlazeSports America, with
sponsorship by Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. CP is the most common cause of motor disability
in children, affecting an average of one in 323 children in the United States.1
“We know firsthand the difficulties patients and families affected by Cerebral Palsy go through,
and having the ability to learn from many resources in one place, while also connecting with
others in the community who are going through the same journey, is empowering.” said Cynthia
Frisina, Founder of Reaching for the Stars and Executive Director of BlazeSports America. “We
look forward to bringing Blazing New Trails™ to families of children impacted by Cerebral Palsy
while sharing the helpful resources developed specifically for those living with a Cerebral Palsy
diagnosis and its many challenges.”
Blazing New Trails™ is launching this March, in honor of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness
Month. All of the Town Hall events will feature a multi-disciplinary panel discussion with local
care team members, highlighting the latest updates in care of children with CP, as well as an
opportunity to ask questions, visit information tables from sponsors and mingle with other
attendees. Additionally, Reaching for the Stars has launched a new educational video series
that has been developed specifically for CPTV to provide information and resources nationwide.
CPTV is a free ‘on-demand’ channel with videos on CP education and resources and is
available on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.
“We are thrilled to sponsor the Blazing New Trails™ program, as it provides much needed multidisciplinary education and local support for the Cerebral Palsy community both in-person
and at home,” said Cynthia Schwalm, President, North America Commercial Operations, Ipsen.
To learn more about Blazing New Trails™, visit www.reachingforthestars.org/blazingnewtrails.
About “Reaching for the Stars. A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy”
“Reaching for the Stars. A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral Palsy” (RFTS, Inc.) is
the largest pediatric Cerebral Palsy nonprofit foundation in the world led by parent volunteers,
with a focus on the prevention, treatment and cure of Cerebral Palsy. Our mission is centered
on the belief that leading-edge research, increased awareness and educated families will lead
to new treatments of Cerebral Palsy, improving the lives of people impacted by CP. To learn
more, visit www.reachingforthestars.org.
About BlazeSports America
BlazeSports America, a non-profit organization, is the legacy of 1996 Atlanta Paralympic
Games. The organization’s mission is to change the lives of individuals with physical disabilities
through adaptive sport and recreation. The BlazeSports multi-disciplinary approach includes
community-based programs, training and education, leadership programs and continuing
education encouraging lifelong health, independence and inclusion. BlazeSports America is a
member of the United States Olympic Committee- Multi-Sport Organizational Council and the
Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association (CPISRA). www.blazesports.org.
About Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. is the US affiliate of Ipsen, a global specialty-driven
pharmaceutical group. The US head office is located in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Ipsen
Biopharmaceuticals Canada, Inc. is an integrated business unit within North America and has its
head office located in Mississauga, Ontario. For more information on Ipsen in North America,
please visit www.ipsenus.com or www.ipsen.ca.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Data & Statistics for Cerebral Palsy.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/data.html. Accessed July 12, 2016.
Blazing New Trails is a trademark of BlazeSports America, Inc.
For further information:
Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (North America)
Media
Dawn Sciortino
W2O Group
Tel: 646-380-3500
E-mail: dsciortino@w2ogroup.com
Katie Zied
Centron PR
Tel: 646-722-8807
E-mail: kzied@centronpr.com
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© 2017 Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
March 2017 DYS-US-001620
