Camarillo and Fels Family

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.”

Help Matteo and Cesar attain freedom and independence! Please consider donating to the family’s Jett Giving Fund fundraiser 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.

 

 

About Jett Giving Fund’s Accessible Vehicle Fund

Jett Giving Fund is Jett Foundation’s financial assistance program for families impacted by Duchenne muscular dystrophy who are in need of accessible vehicles or emergency support. As part of the Accessible Vehicle Fund, families fundraise half the funds needed or more for an accessible vehicle, and Jett Foundation covers the remaining costs once they reach their goal. 

If other resources have already been used to meet a specific need, if there is no longer a specific need, and/or if donations have been received in excess of a specific need, donations made in furtherance of a specific need will be applied for general purposes of the Jett Giving Fund. If the Jett Giving Fund no longer exists, all donations will be applied to further the general charitable mission of Jett Foundation.

How is the rare disease community accomplishing goals?

Tune in on February 29 to hear from our panel and moderators on how they are accomplishing goals and living life to the fullest!

Your gift helps Jett Foundation provide programming and opportunities, such as Camp Promise, to many families impacted by Duchenne muscular dystrophy each year.

Accessible Vehicle Fund Applications Open