Team Joseph and 10 other Duchenne nonprofits are working together to ease the additional challenges Duchenne families are currently facing during the pandemic.
The Coronavirus Relief Fund is a part of the Duchenne Family Assistance Program, which offers financial assistance related to care and help for families who need access to recommended treatments and equipment, clinical care, and social services.
In addition to Team Joseph, other organizations aiding families who have reached out for support with critical needs, such as living expenses, groceries, and utilities, are 4 Jake’s Sake, Hope for Gus, JB’s Keys to DMD, Joaquin’s Warriors, Cure Duchenne, Kindness Over Muscular Dystrophy, Little Hercules Foundation, Michael’s Cause, Peitro’s Fight and Walking Strong.
“The situation we are facing with COVID-19 is unprecedented, but so is the collaboration we are seeing among Duchenne organizations,” says Marissa Penrod, Team Joseph Founder/CEO, in a media release.
“We have been inundated with requests from families who are severely impacted by this crisis. As requests were coming in and we realized how great the needs are, I reached out to my colleagues at other Duchenne nonprofits and asked them to be a part of this. Within 48 hours, they had all pledged funding to ensure that, collectively, we could quickly help the Duchenne community that we all serve.”
Rob Capolongo, a sergeant in the New York City Police Department’s Intelligence Bureau who also serves as president/co-founder of Michael’s Cause, a Duchenne nonprofit named in honor of his son, comments that the collaboration between Team Joseph and these organizations is more important than ever before, especially with the financial and health impacts of COVID-19 that will linger even after states begin to reopen.
“I have a son with Duchenne, and I know the struggle of taking care of a child with a severe medical condition,” he says. “Living and working in New York City, we have seen firsthand the devastation of COVID-19. We are happy to be a part of this team effort with other fine charities to help Duchenne families who are in need during these very trying times.”
To date, the program has provided more than $130,000 in funds for Duchenne families who are uniquely impacted by the pandemic. There is a fundraising goal of $250,000 due to the expectation that the need for assistance will continue into the summer and fall. Over $150,000 has been committed so far, but additional donations are still needed, per the release.
JB Brown-Crowley, a small business owner who according to the release has lost 75% of her income due to Covid-19, has two children, including a son, Charlie, with Duchenne. The support their family has received through the Coronavirus Relief Fund is helping them to buy groceries and pay utilities.
“This program is wonderful,” Brown says. “We are heading into uncertain months ahead, and this help is such a blessing for our family. Not having our regular paychecks has compounded our already tight financial situation, and is really hitting our family hard. The Relief Fund is helping us get by.”
In addition to emergency funding, families can also apply for a mini-grant for each child in their household to go toward educational materials, entertainment, a new hobby or outdoor fun while social distancing is in place.
[Source(s): MCCI – on behalf of Team Joseph, PRWeb]
