Ok all

As we mentioned earlyer...

On Sunday August 09, 2009 we took part with a Freed Family genetic study
that is looking into Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernias (CDH) and how they are
passed on in families. This is the medical problem that my brother (Terry Freed)
had corrected, as well as our Daughter (Candace) our Son (Charlie) and my
brother (Larry)'s baby had that passed away.

We have been in touch with research assistants and doctors from Boston Children's
Hospital about this. Because our family has such a high incidence of CDH they
are VERY interested in studying our whole family's genetics. They sent a doctor
and a research assistant (and the research assistant's mother) to Cleveland, Ohio
to study us and take samples of our blood and a brief medical history.
They sent their team here to the Cleveland, Ohio area along with a nurse from
the University Hospitals, in Cleveland, Ohio to draw the blood for this study
this past Sunday August 9th, 2009. Our daughter (Candace) and son-n-law agreed
to allow them come to their house and use it as their base of operations for the
blood drawing and information taking.

There were 19 connected family members in all, ranging in age from my mother
who lives in TN, to our daughter's 2-childern. We also had a sister and her son
from VA, that were interviewed and/or genetic samples taken
(Mostly by blood draw, and 2 by mouth swab)

The Break-down was as follows:
- 14 from Ohio
- 3 from Tennessee
- 2 from Virginia

We are anxious to hear of the outcome of this information/genetic samples being
taken. We hope and pray that this will help some to determine what causes CDH
and will hopefully help to save some lives, possibly future lives of our family members.
If you have a similar family situation, Please consider working with
these folks on their CDH study as well.
Meaghan K Russell, (MRUSSELL@PARTNERS.ORG)

We will let you all know how this study went and post more pictures here as well.

Debbie and Gerry Freed and Family
Cleveland, Ohio