Sherry Gray, Extension Educator in the Hartford County Extension office coordinated a Metabolic Family Day on October 18, 2015 at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield. The event was hosted by the Metabolic Clinics at UConn Health and Yale New Haven Hospital and was open to families of children and adults with metabolic conditions throughout the state. 90 patients and their families attended the event. Participants were able to socialize with other families, visit vendor booths to sample metabolic formulas and low protein products, and complete the corn maze, carriage rides and apple picking. For some families it was the first time they were able to meet another with the same genetic condition. This event has been held annually for a number of years. Vendors attending included Biomarin Pharmaceuticals, Cambrooke Therapeutics, Vitaflo USA, and Nutricia NA. This event was graciously sponsored by Biomarin, Nutricia NA, and the Hartford County Extension Council. Special thanks to Rineicha Otero, New Haven County Extension who assisted in grant submissions and Lisa Leger, UConn Health who assisted day of the event.
UConn Health
Metabolic Family Day
A Family Day was held for patients with metabolic disorders and their families at Rock Cats Stadium in New Britain on May 17, 2015. Sherry Gray from the UConn Extension – Hartford County coordinated the event. The event was hosted by UConn Health Center, UConn Extension and Yale New Haven Hospital and was sponsored by Vitaflo USA. 83 people attended including patients with Phenylketonuria (PKU), Urea cycle disorders, Maple Syrup Urine Disease and Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders. A table from Vitaflo had metabolic formula tasting and educational materials and a low protein picnic was provided in addition to tickets for the baseball game. Patients and family members were able to mingle and meet each other. The weather cooperated and everyone had a fun time!