RTS Newsletter
December2022

To inform, educate and empower all those whose lives are touched by RTS

Winter Issue
No. 1

www.rtsplace.org
Wishing our RTS families
and friends a happy,
healthy, and peacefulholiday season!

Your support for the RTS Foundation has
not gone unnoticed this past year. We arevery grateful for the many times and ways thatyour support lifted our spirits. Whether it’s
your generous support of our various
fundraising events or the occasional noteletting us know that a fruit basket from theRTS Foundation made an otherwise difficultday feel a little brighter for you, we heard you
and appreciate your unceasing support forRTS. Thank you!
As the new year approaches, The RTS boardof directors remains steadfast in their resolveto actualize the mission of the foundation.
While much work remains, including
increasing fundraising efforts to support RTS
related research; preservation of the Patientand Family Registry; engaging RTS families tobecome advocates in their homecommunities to educate others about RTS, tofundraise; and to engage more actively with
the RTS Foundation by offering their time
and talents… So next year is promising to bechallenging. With the continued support ofour RTS families and friends, anything ispossible.

On behalf of the RTS Foundation BoardMembers:
Chair – Emil Zakutny
Vice-Chair – Laurie Sperou
Treasurer – Shelley Sanders
Secretary – Ta-Tara Rideau
Board Member – Sheila Townsend
Board Member Stacy Hanson
Board member – Kara Hanson
Board Chair Emeritus – John Kimmel andMrs. Helen Kimmel
RTS Technical Support – Adam Kimmel

Don’t let stress undermine your holiday
season!
The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year… but not always. While the holidayscan provide an opportunity to spend time with family, friends and engage in comforting
family rituals and activities, it’s also a time when many people feel increased levels of stress,anxiety, sadness, and loneliness. In fact, 38% of people report (APA Association) increased
stress and 64% of people struggling with mental health issues report the holidays madethem feel worse. Here are some suggestions (University of Utah) to help you manage stressand enjoy the holiday season to best degree you can.

Reminder - Live 2023
RTS Sharing and Caring
Conference

Make your final gift of the year count Creative ways to donate to RTS

End your year feeling good knowing that your donation will have a direct impact
on another person’s life. All donation to RTS go directly to supporting RTS related
research, RTS Patient and Family registry, genetic testing, educating healthcare
providers and conducting RTS Sharing and Caring Conferences where families areable to connect with other RTS families from around the world.

The RTS Sharing and Caring Conference isa wonderful opportunity to connect with RTS
families for either the first time or toreacquaint yourself with families that you may
not have seen for some time, given the Covid19 Pandemic.
While the itinerary for the conference
continues to be finalized, presentations willaddress, among other topics, the status ofresearch, medical and clinical challenges of
RTS, management of dermatologicalconcerns and the psychosocial aspects ofliving with RTS and its impact on the family.
As in prior years, all attendees can participate
in the Sharing and Caring part of theconference. This is a unique opportunity forfamilies to share their lived RTS experiences,provide feedback and find mutual support.
Due to the limited accommodations at theHome2 Suites Hotel in Maine, please contact
us via support@rtsplace.org as soon as
possible, if you are interested in attending theconference. We look forward to seeing you atthe conference.

Here is the pertinent information
about the 2023 RTS conference:
Location:
Home2 Suites by Hilton Portland Airport
50 Maine Mall Road
South Portland, ME 04106

There are number of creative ways that you can donate to RTS. You can donate asmuch or as little as fits your budget. We appreciate your generosity no matter theamount. Here are some ways to donate:

Employer - If you work for a company, organization or thefederal government, chances are you have the opportunity toparticipate in a workplace giving program. Workplace giving
is an easy and efficient way to make tax deductible donations
to a nonprofit like RTS. Typically the donation is taken
directly out of your paycheck. Donation via credit card,
vacation time and other methods might also be available
depending on your employer’s program. In addition explore
other available options at work including possible giftmatching programs.

Stocks - Donating stocks to a nonprofit like RTS offfers tax
benefits to you as a donor. When donors give appreciatedstocks, they take a tax deduction for the full market value.
This often increases the contribution and deduction bymore than 20%. Donors who give long-term stock to a
nonprofit do not have to pay capital gains and the fairmarket value they receive in the tax deduction is usually well
above what they paid.

Legacy Gift - Leave a legacy gift to a nonprofit like RTS
in your will. These bequests are often called planned gifts.
You can donate by naming RTS as the primary benficiaryfor a specific gift, like a certain amount of money or stock.
You can also allocate a percentage of your total estate.
Many people choose to leave about 10% of their estate tocharitable causes.

Phone: 207-517-3636__________________________________

Direct RTS Donation - Go to www.rtsplace.org andDate(s):Friday April 28 to Sunday April 30, 2023
Friday - 4/28
5pm – 8pm Welcome mixer for all
conference attendees
Saturday - 4/29
8am – 5pm Full day conference with lunch
break
Sunday – 4/30
8am – 11am Presentation with conference
ending remarks

navigate to the Donate Now botton that leads you to theRTS donation page site where you can make a one time
donation or a monthly donation using PayPal, Debit orCredit Card as you prefer. Recurrent monthly donation
can be discontinued at any time.

Donate Your Time and Skills – Donating your timeand skills to a nonprofit like RTS makes you feel goodwhile benefiting the organization. When you volunteer,
you fill in the gaps in a nonprofit that may not be able todo everything. Contact RTS at support@rtsplace.org to
discuss opportunities.