08/15/2017
Say hello to Amelia Gallardo.
Amelia is a special child. She has a rare chromosome 18 abnormality known as Tetrasomy 18p, born with 47 chromosomes instead of 46, which is the typical number. The 14 year old, about to enter Moorpark High School, raised a market goat with Somis 4H for the Ventura County Fair.
Her summer memories will include her exciting day at the Ventura County Fair Junior Livestock Auction, where her market goat brought in $31,000 dollars at auction. The money raised is all earmarked for the Chromosome A Team Registry and Research Society where it will be used for research into this rare chromosome 18 abnormality that affects families worldwide.
The auction buyers, a consortium of community members and local businesses, bid on the goat in a show of support for Amelia and to help her raise awareness for the rare chromosome 18 abnormality.
“I’m proud of Amelia for her accomplishments, and I am thankful to the people who have chipped in to help support the research that will lead to better lives for people affected by Tetrasomy 18p,” said Amelia’s mother, Stacey Gallardo.
People who are affected by Tetrasomy 18p experience neurological changes, seizures, MRI changes, eyes and vision, ear infections, hearing, palatal abnormalities, heart irregularities, gastrointestinal changes, orthopedic changes, allergies and immunology, growth and bone issues.
Barbara Quaid, Ventura County Fair CEO said “The Ventura County Fair is a place where anything is possible! We are proud of Amelia, and the Somis 4H and we are happy to be in a position to bring awareness to this affliction and the research that will bring relief to those afflicted and their families.”
With 583 animals at live auction and 62 animals sold at silent auction, the Junior Livestock Auction raised more than a million dollars for Ventura County 4-H, Grange and FFA groups and individual exhibitors.
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About the Chromosome A Team Registry and Research Society:
Founded in 1990, The Chromosome 18 Registry & Research Society is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt public charity dedicated to making chromosome 18 conditions the first treatable chromosome abnormalities. Within the membership are thousands of parents, siblings, extended family and friends, businesses, and affected individuals. Registry membership is open to any interested person.
The society’s work is supported by private donations from members, foundations and charitable organizations, businesses, and others interested in supporting their mission. Contributions and gifts are used to invest in both people and science; supporting members through education and a sense of community while also focusing squarely on impactful clinical research that will lead to healthier, happier, and more independent lives for those affected and their families.
Thanks to the buyers of Ameila’s market goat:
Dunbar Group, Camarillo Feed Store, Lozano & Sons Water Trucks, Calavo Growers of CA, Right Sawing and Breaking, Otto and Debbie Schimmel, Old Fashion Country Butcher, Ralph Milligan Ranch, McCarty & Sons Towing, Travis Ag Construction, 3 Bar Corp, AgRX, Pecht Ranch, Oxnard Lemon Company, LBL Equipment Repair, Ag Land Clearing, West Coast Berry Farms, W-D Sense Ranch, Beardsley & Son, Crosby & Assoc, Hub International, PW Gillibrand Co., T&T Truck and Crane, Quality Ag Inc., Mission Produce Inc., Waters Family Farm, Sloan Ranches, Velocity Truck Center of Ventura County, AAA Propane, Southland Sod Farm, TWIW Insurance Services, Mission Ready Mix
To donate and for more information about Tetrasomy 18P visit https://www.chromosome18.org.
For information about the Ventura County Fair visit www.venturacountyfair.org.
