Hayley Okines: Inspirational Progeria Campaigner Dies at 17
Hayley Okines: Inspirational Progeria Campaigner Dies at 17 – A brave teen who raised awareness for progeria, a rare genetic disease that causes those suffering from the condition to age eight times faster than normal, died this week.
The Progeria Research Foundation announced on Thursday that 17 year old Hayley Okines of East Sussex, England, died at her home. Tributes for Okines, who captured the hearts of people worldwide due to her series of books and public advocacy for those with progeria, poured in after the news broke. Okines lived three years beyond the typical life expectancy of those diagnosed with progeria.
At 14, she published ‘Young at Heart’, in which she reflects on the pains of growing up with progeria, as well as the happy moments in her life.
Audrey Gordon, executive director of the Progeria Research Foundation, praised Okines for participating in drug trials and research that helped make some progress for finding treatment for the rare disease.
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