Vamsi Koduri and Yashodha Sunkara (Yash) have established this non-profit Organization to increase awareness and fund research to find a cure for de novo SPG4 Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. His highness Mr. Mayor Scott Wehrli (City of Naperville) launched this website on Friday, 10.13.2023 at Naperville Municipal Center along with respected doctors and researchers of the Chicago area.

Dr. Larissa Pavone (M.D, Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehab at NorthWestern)

Dr. Mukesh Gautam (PhD, Research Asst. Professor of Neurology at North Western)

Dr. Jyothsna Palla (M.D, Endocrinologist, Advocate Medical Group)

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Vamsi and Yashodha kicked off the event with their welcome speeches and presented about HSP background, about Maurya and about Maurya Koduri Foundation. Mr. Mayor then launched the website (www.mauryakoduri.org)  amidst roaring reception, much positivity, hope, community encouragement and appreciation. Mr. Mayor spoke about the hardships of diagnosis and misdiagnosis stemming from personal experience and wished Maurya Koduri Foundation well. He also spoke about our community being so kind and that our community will now be a part of the journey of Maurya Koduri Foundation in the quest to find a Cure. Following the launch, Yash gifted a handmade painting of Zebra representing Rare Disease (Zebra is the official symbol of the rare diseases in the U.S).  Mr. Mayor was kind enough to invite the Koduri family and put this painting in the office of Mayor, in the family’s presence along with Maurya's handwritten note for Mr. Mayor. On this occasion, Vamsi presented the book (The Pursuit of Triumph) he authored to Mr. Mayor.

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Dr. Pavone, a special guest at the event did the honors of launching the logo and spoke about Spasticity, muscle weakness and her experiences with Maurya and family. Dr. Pavone was presented with special handmade art depicting humanity joining hands for the foundation around the mutated gene (Art by Yash)

Dr. Palla, a special guest at the event launched the awareness video created by Vamsi and Yash. Dr. Palla spoke about complexities involved in a rare disease and how awareness is important. Dr. Palla was presented with handmade Indian Ethnic painting on a cheeseboard (by Yash)

Dr. Gautam, a special guest at the event launched the mobile version of the website and spoke about Upper Motor Neurons and research on HSP and why is awareness important and importance of Maurya Koduri Foundation. Dr. Gautam was presented with handmade Indian Ethnic art on Clay pot (by Yash)

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. There may be no better way to communicate about the launch event than through images. As you browse our site, please take a few moments to let your eyes linger here, and see how the foundation's website was launched.