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Meisha’s Legacy Celebrates 10 Years of Giving Hope

The Meisha’s Hope Fund, established to advance research into autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), will celebrate its 10-year anniversary on May 25, 2012. Joanne and David Dickson’s beloved companion, Meisha, a lab/terrier/spaniel mix, was 3 years old when she was first diagnosed with AIHA, also known as immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), in the early ’90s. Meisha’s veterinarian thought that, if she survived the initial crisis, she might live two or three more years. Against all odds, Meisha lived for nearly 10 years after her initial AIHA diagnosis.

In honor of Meisha and her indomitable spirit, Joanne and David decided they must do everything they could to help find new treatments and possibly even a cure for AIHA/IMHA, so they established the Meisha’s Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338 through Morris Animal Foundation. This fund raises much-needed support for AIHA/IMHA studies funded by Morris Animal Foundation. In the past decade, the Meisha’s Hope Fund has raised more than $315,000 and is directly responsible for the sponsorship or co-sponsorship of an incredible 17 AIHA/IMHA studies. 

“Being a part of the Morris Animal Foundation family for the past 10 years has been one of the greatest joys of my life,” Joanne says. “It is a pleasure working with the Foundation’s staff members. I also have come in contact with so many wonderful people who, like me, have had a dog diagnosed with AIHA/IMHA. These people have come from all walks of life and from all over the world, but we share a common bond in that we want to find better treatments, and hopefully someday a cure, for canine AIHA/IMHA. I believe this will happen through studies sponsored by the Meisha’s Hope Fund. I am so very grateful to every person who has donated to the Meisha’s Hope Fund and would like to extend a big thank you to each and every one of these people. I am truly convinced that, together, we will find answers to the many questions that surround canine AIHA/IMHA.”

Morris Animal Foundation wants to thank Joanne and David for their outstanding leadership and unfailing commitment to raising awareness of AIHA/IMHA and for helping to find a cure for this terrible disease. To make a donation to the Meisha’s Hope Fund, click here.

Thank you for helping to make a difference for thousands of deserving dogs around the world!

Posted by MAFon May 21, 2012.

Categories: Animal health, Animal studies, Dog health

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Submitted by dog daipers at: October 6, 2012
this is very much important article.Morris animal foundation is most awareness about dog...
Submitted by Jenny Sims at: June 5, 2012
Thank you Joanne and David and MAF for all the hard work done so far. Please keep it up. I lost my beautiful Rottweiler Kuma a few weeks ago after a two month battle with this horrendous disease and would not want to see another animal go through it. Good luck and here's hoping a cure is forthcoming.
Submitted by JENNY JONES at: May 23, 2012
Hi i was wondering how the research is done on this? do they use rats and mice, or dogs and cats? ive currently got a cat 3 yrs old, diagnosed recently with lymphoma? or imune disorder of some type? 2 vets determined this? they used blood work to determine this. Is there anything i can do to help my 3 yr old mandie the cat? thanks
Submitted by Meg Havran at: May 22, 2012
My heartfelt thanks to Joanne and David Dickson, whose efforts have gone a long way toward educating owners of dogs afflicted with AIHA and raising awareness (and funds!) to finding a cure for this dreaded disease. Meisha’s story gives us all reason to hope and the courage to fight a fickle disease. I applaud the Dicksons for their dedication, and Morris Animal Foundation for recognizing the importance of their cause. Support Meisha’s Hope Fund #338!
Submitted by Beth Searfoss at: May 22, 2012
This charity is near and dear to my heart. My dog, Lady, was diagnosed at almost eight years of age. She lived another seven and a half years after the initial diagnosis, which today I still find amazing. I want to find a cure, and Meisha's Hope is the path to take.