Hope, Health and Support for Children & Young Adults Battling PANS & PANDAS
If your child, teen or young adult has been diagnosed with PANS or PANDAS, it can be a confusing, isolating time. But you don’t have to take this journey alone. The JBC PANS & PANDAS Foundation provides emotional and practical support to help families like yours start on a path to healing.
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What are PANS & PANDAS?
PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Syndrome Associated with Streptococcus) occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells following an infection (e.g., strep throat), leading to brain inflammation. This misdirected immune response results in an acute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms ranging from severe anxiety, aggression, and irritability to motor and sensory abnormalities. Symptoms are often very sudden in onset and can be alarming. Many parents describe watching their son or daughter transform into a child they do not recognize.
The medical community still lags behind when it comes to understanding and treating PANS/PANDAS. Despite the fact that PANS/PANDAS affects an estimated 1 in 200 children. Currently, most pediatricians are not trained in diagnosing and treating these illnesses. This leads to misdiagnosis or outright dismissal of parents’ concerns. Families are left spinning their wheels (and depleting their savings) as they search for answers.
Even if you’re fortunate enough to find a knowledgeable doctor who treats PANS and PANDAS, most treatment is not covered by health insurance. The path to recovery can be long, emotionally grueling, and financially devastating.
On top of managing their child’s new symptoms and behaviors, families must try to understand PANS/PANDAS and determine an informed course of action. It’s beyond overwhelming. The JBC Foundation was created to help parents and caregivers navigate this difficult process and access the support and resources they need. This is done by:
Connecting families with reputable doctors who treat PANS/PANDAS as well as other support resources.
Providing grants that allow eligible children and young adults with PANS/PANDAS to receive proper treatment.
Educating local pediatricians, schools, and other stakeholders about PANS/PANDAS.
Providing guidance and emotional support for parents and caregivers.
How We Help
JBC Grants for
PANS & PANDAS Treatment
JBC Grants are intended to cover expenses relating to the treatment of PANS and PANDAS. This includes medication, supplements, doctor visits, lab testing, and alternative practitioners such as Acupuncturists and Chiropractors. Anyone in New England diagnosed with PANS or PANDAS through age 25 and can demonstrate a qualified financial need is eligible.
About The JBC Foundation
The JBC Foundation was created in honor of John B. Cunningham, a kind-hearted and generous man whose two grandchildren struggled with PANS/PANDAS. Regrettably, John passed away before being able to see his grandkids heal. Each member of our Board has a personal connection with PANS/PANDAS. We understand the profound pain and confusion around this diagnosis, and we’re here to make the journey easier on families.