GREENSBORO, N.C., July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Merz
Pharmaceuticals, LLC, commends the Benign Essential Blepharospasm
Research Foundation (BEBRF) for 30 years of dedication to
increasing awareness of blepharospasm, a neurological disorder that
causes abnormal, involuntary spasms of the muscles around the eye,
and raising funds for research. Founded on July 23, 1981, BEBRF has
grown to be an invaluable resource for the blepharospasm
community.
Many people living with blepharospasm have spent months or even
years experiencing the symptoms of uncontrollable eyelid blinking
before receiving an accurate diagnosis. It was a similar delay in
diagnosis and an overall lack of awareness among both physicians
and the public that motivated Mattie Lou Koster to form BEBRF 30
years ago. Today, her daughter Mary Lou Thompson continues to lead
the organization, which aims to undertake, promote, develop and
carry on the search for the cause and a cure for blepharospasm.
“I’m so pleased to celebrate how far BEBRF has come in the past
30 years,” said Mary Lou, President of BEBRF. “It’s been such an
honor for me to continue my mother’s goal of creating a foundation
that addresses the needs of patients while raising awareness of
blepharospasm so it becomes more easily recognized. I thank the
remarkable members of the blepharospasm community and our
supportive partners for all of their hard work over the years.”
Through a network of local support groups, educational
activities and collaboration with other organizations that have
similar goals, BEBRF has had a significant impact on the
blepharospasm community. The symposiums, newsletters, website,
pamphlets and other materials provided by the organization have
been influential in helping people better understand their
diagnosis while raising awareness of the condition.
“BEBRF has bettered the lives of blepharospasm sufferers and
their families worldwide in the last 30 years,” said Richard L.
Anderson, M.D.
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