Global Genes® to Raise Funds for WAM!, a new teen and young adult advocacy organization, through Festival of Children Foundation's Carousel of Possible Dreams

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Oct. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Global Genes is pleased to announce its partnership with We Are More (WAM!) to help build and support WAM!'s newly formed organization and advocacy efforts through the annual Festival of Children Foundation's Carousel of Possible Dreams event on Wednesday, November 9. Founded and chaired by 17-year-old Shira Strongin, WAM! aims to connect the rare disease community and empower young adults to change the perception of illness and rare disease in mainstream media.

Following the Global Genes' 2015 annual RARE Patient Advocacy Summit, Strongin met with other young adults in attendance to discuss the challenges of teens with rare disease. The group brainstormed and shared ideas about how they could empower others to become activists for the rare teen community. "We want to show that just because our illnesses and disabilities are a large part of our lives, they are most definitely not all that we are and strive to be," comments Strongin. Sharing this common goal, WAM! was founded in September 2015. Created by young adults for young adults, WAM! is an advocacy group open to interested members 13-25 years of age. To learn more visit globalgenes.org/wearemore.

Global Genes and WAM! have the great opportunity to participate in the annual Festival of Children Foundation's Carousel of Possible Dreams, on Wednesday, November 9. Carousel of Possible Dreams is an innovative fundraising program from Festival of Children Foundation that helps fund the dreams of children's charities. This event will aid Global Genes in raising the funds necessary to support WAM! in expanding their programming efforts, and the expansion of their organization.  Five riders on behalf of Global Genes and WAM! will join other charity participants and ride the Disneyland Carousel to help raise funds. Global Genes and WAM! riders to include Shira Strongin (WAM! Founder), Travis Flores (author, actor, philanthropist) and Madison McLaughlin (actress, The Mentalist, Arrow) Nicole Boice (CEO, Global Genes), and Perla Portillo (Patient Advocate). To make a donation today to support WAM!'s efforts, please visit http://bit.ly/CarouselofDreams.

About Global Genes
Global Genes is a leading global advocacy non-profit organization for patients and families fighting rare and genetic diseases. Global Genes works to eliminate rare and genetic disease challenges by building awareness, developing patient-focused educational tools, funding patient care programs and early investigative research. Recognized worldwide by the Blue Denim Genes Ribbon™, Global Genes is dedicated to uniting experts, advocates, patients and their families. The organization seeks to support the development of treatments and cures for the 7,000+ rare and genetic diseases that affect an estimated 30 million Americans and over 350 million people worldwide.

About We Are More!
WAM!  aims to connect young adults in the rare disease community in an effort to empower them and collectively work to change the perception of illness and rare disease in mainstream media.  The mission is simple; the impact will be significant.

About Festival of Children Foundation
Festival of Children Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that serves to bring together and coordinate the efforts of charities, companies and individuals who actively work to improve the lives of children. Festival of Children Foundation gives a voice, guidance and support. 100% of the administrative costs are covered by designated funding, allowing donations to go further in direct support of programs and services that improve the lives of children. www.festivalofchildren.org

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SOURCE Global Genes

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