Dr. David Busch

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Dr David Busch on 11th April, a great friend of those with XP.

We quote below the memorial given on the XP Society website at www.xps.org

"We in the XP Society join with countless patients, friends, family, and associates in mourning the loss Thursday of a man who was our good friend and strong supporter from the very beginning of our organization some seven years ago.

Doctor Busch was often the first to confirm a diagnosis to patients with the DNA repair disorders Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) or Cockayne's syndrome (CS). His laboratory was the only source for such clinical diagnostic testing in the United States.

But this only begins to tell the important role he played in our lives. His wit, his friendship, his love of animals (cats in particular), his sensitivity in dealing with families and with young children and so many other positive qualities come to mind.

David Busch joined in the fun and games at Camp Sundown. The children so loved to play with him. When he brought his much loved cats to camp, he was the instant centre of attention.

Dr. Busch took his interest in animals very seriously. He was sole proprietor of Jadzia Cattery, and President of Emony's Exotic Cats. Not long ago he completed a one day course and passed an examination on "Basic Husbandry of Exotic Felines" conducted by The LIOC Endangered Species Conservation Federation, Inc. He concentrated on Norwegian forest cats and, more recently, lynxes.

There were many facets to this man, and as we receive anecdotes from the families he touched, we will add them to our memorial on this Website.

Here he is shown opposite conferring with parents at a Camp Sundown session.

We know that he fought a valiant fight against the myelodysplastic syndrome with which he was diagnosed in late 2000. We know all this because, characteristic if this scientist, he kept us informed through regular e-mail reports and his Web page devoted to this topic.

We miss you so much already David Busch