Three years ago I joined with my friend Casey McPherson on his journey to find a cure for his daughter Rose. I have served as Chairman of the Board of The To Cure A Rose Foundation ever since. We have learned so much and made so much progress and we are nearing a time when we can actually try to treat Rose and other children like her. But like everything else, it takes money to get there. Casey just sent this year-end request and I hope you can join us as we race to the next steps in this journey.
To My Friends, Colleagues, and Supporters,
I held back a quiet sadness as I lit the candles and helped Rose blow them out. She just turned eight, and I couldn’t tell if she understood anything that was happening. We acted like she blew the candles out. But we all knew she didn’t. I did. I fought back tears and went through the motions, because it was my job as a dad to put on a birthday for her. And in her stead I made a wish. A cure. A way out of this. It wasn’t fair that she had been robbed of her day by this terrible, fixable disease. It’s one thing to know this is the life you must accept. It’s an entirely other thing when you are holding a potential lifeline for Rose in one hand and can’t use it. We must do these very expensive studies the FDA requires to make this accessible to all children like Rose. I want to hear Rose say “Daddy” again. I want to make memories with Wes and me playing with her in the park on a Sunday afternoon. I want to watch her make friends, have sleepovers, and create deep connections. However, the bleak truth is that without a genetic treatment, she never will.
Today, I stare hopefully down the road and see a fork ahead of us. The road to the left is years of fundraising and events to get us to our first treatment. The road to the right is a treatment for Rose in the window of a year. The science is known, and financing this is all that stands in our way now. Our hope is that this treatment's success will financially come back to help others. Maybe one day families won’t have to raise money themselves, because of what we did today. Creating a sustainable non profit model, similar to Cystic Fibrosis and Angelman’s communities. Your donation is the investment that will make that happen, and Rose’s drug, once commercialized, could turn your $1 into $100.
So, if there was ever a time to be generous, it’s now. Ever a time to tell a generous friend this story, it’s now. I hate asking for money. Mostly because I’m afraid of hurting any friendship or relationship we may have. But, in truth, it’s not about us. It's about these kids. It’s an opportunity. You and I get to participate in ground breaking life changing science for them. They and their families get to have a life unburdened by the suffering of these diseases. How many chances do we get to participate in that kind of purpose in our lives? Look at the impact report, and what you have already accomplished. It’s truly incredible. The speed that we go now is directly related to the amount that you can give. We’re racing against the clock for Rose, and I am hopeful we get there before this treatment is potentially unimpactful for her. Please consider your year end gift as you make your final 2023 investment into the impact you will have on this planet.
With hope and gratitude for your partnership, let’s cure some Roses, together!
Casey McPherson