Zach Pickard
August 18, 2008 by Charles Bertram
Filed under Charles Bertram, Second Look, Slideshows
Zach Pickard has progeria, one of the rarest diseases on earth. There are only 13 cases of the disease in the United States, 46 worldwide. Progeria causes children’s bodies to age far more rapidly than they should. The disease is caused by a mutation in the gene called LMNA (commonly called lamin-A); cells become unstable.By the time children with progeris hit 18 to 24 months old, the accelerated aging is unmistakeable. Zach is 19 months old.
Photographs by Charles Bertram | Staff August 14, 2008
Below is the original installment published May 2, 2008
Zach Pickard acts like any other 15-month-old boy. He plays with his friends, has a loving family, and is hardly ever still. But, Zach has been diagnosed with progeria, a genetic disease so rare and random that he is one of only 46 in the world to have it. Because of progeria, his little body will age many decades well before he attends kindergarten. His family is working to raise money for research for the disease.
I would just want to attack those walls with colouring...
having known tina since she was a little girl i found the artical well done.a mutual friend had told me about zachs illness,which i deeply regreat.
I heard about Zach from his Aunt Pam a friend of mine. She has sent me several things keeping me updated on zach and my heart goes out to all the family. I commend the work you are doing to find something to help these rare and special children. You are in my prayers and wish you heartfelt luck in your conquest. Great big hugs to your adorable son Zach and hang in their God is watching over you.
Tina and I used to attend the same church and I was so sorry to hear of Zach’s illness. However, God has chosen the perfect mother for Zach.
i want to thank everybody that came out to the pancake breakfast..we had 300 ppl to come out and support progeria research and our family…a very big sorry to the few that waited some time on pancakes and for tables when we got swamped..thank you all for the support and hope to see you again next year.
Thank god for courageous and loving parents. We, too, have a challenged grandchild and we (grandparents) do everything we can to support our wonderful daughter and son-in-law who are our grandson’s greatest and most staunch caregivers and advocates. May God bless every Zack in the world and their parents.
One of my best friends had progeria. She was an amazing person who lived life with such enthusiasm and confidence. Thanks for sharing Zach’s story.