Fundraising for an Accessible Van
Cesar (16) and Matteo (8) are brothers from Chula Vista, California living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. They live with their siblings, single mother Lorraine, two cats, and two dogs. Both Lorraine and her daughter, Carmen, are females with dystrophinopathy. One of Lorraine’s sons, Cain, passed away last year after living with Duchenne for 20 years.
Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function.
Lorraine says, “Our family is going through a lot right now after losing Cain and seeing Cesar experience heart failure, as well as Matteo’s struggle with Duchenne symptoms such as fatigue and lack of ambulation. Not having an accessible vehicle takes away their independence. Cesar doesn’t enjoy leaving the house because it hurts him and is uncomfortable. Having an accessible vehicle would change so much for us.”
Lorraine is heavily involved in the Duchenne community via Facebook groups and connects with other moms frequently for advice and resources, which is how she found Jett Foundation. With Matteo’s muscles rapidly becoming weaker and Cesar’s scoliosis, Lorraine knows an accessible vehicle will make a major impact on their lives.
As participants in Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, Lorraine, Cesar, Matteo and their family will aim to raise half the funds needed, or more, for their accessible vehicle before Jett Foundation steps in to cover the remaining costs and purchase the vehicle outright.
“We are trying to make memories and make the time count,” says Lorraine. “And when we get a new van they can bring their own power chairs and finally be comfortable.”
The Camarillo and Fels family has met their fundraising goal and received accessible transportation thanks to supporters like you! You can still support our program and future program participants with a gift to Jett Foundation today:
Donate Today
All donations to Jett Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed under applicable law and is an unrestricted contribution to the Jett Giving Fund. The family is working to raise half the funds needed for their van or more; when they reach their goal, Jett Foundation will cover the remaining costs and coordinate purchase and delivery of the vehicle. Please note that your contribution will be combined with other Jett Giving Fund donations to ensure that each of the children in the Jett Giving Fund initiative benefit from your generosity.
