Fourteen-year-old Cooper Klein from Pasadena, Maryland, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disorder that weakens his muscles and affects his lungs and heart. Cooper was diagnosed with Duchenne at a young age, and his family bravely faces the challenges of this disease every day. Cooper lives with and is cared for by his mother, Jennifer. He also has an older brother, Greyson (17), and best friend Lily, their pitbull. While the Klein family used to manage Cooper’s daily needs through manual lifting, his growing size has made this approach unsafe for both Cooper ..read more

Connor (10), Xander (7) and Jayden (4) are brothers from Greenville, Ohio living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. All of the boys have autism and are cared for by their single mother, Becky. The boys require wheelchairs and accessibility equipment due to their Duchenne diagnosis which makes getting to school, medical appointments, and other priorities difficult and unsafe. Manually lifting the boys into their vehicle takes an unfortunate toll on their bodies as well as their mother, Becky. “Due ..read more

The Bautista Family lives in Compton, California, and is navigating a life with a Duchenne muscular dystrophy diagnosis. Ellis Bautista (15) was diagnosed with Duchenne at just six years old, eventually losing his ability to walk and perform daily physical activities. Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. Ellis lives with his mother, Herminia, older brother, Victor, and father who all care for him full time. They applied to the Jett Giving Fund after years of unsafe travel conditions and the inability to give Ellis prope ..read more

The fraternity brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Sigma Chi at the University of Florida hosted a BBQ fundraising event on February 24, 2024, to benefit Jett Foundation and the families we serve in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy community. 197 students and 115 fraternity members attended to listen to live music, enjoy fresh BBQ food, and play yard games with attendance proceeds benefiting Jett Foundation. TJ Bowen, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Chair, has had a lifelong friendship with Dale Ginder, an individual living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The Ginder Family supports J ..read more

CrossFit MOB, a gym located in Denver, Colorado, hosted a Battle of the Badges competition fundraiser to benefit Jett Foundation and the Duchenne muscular dystrophy community on February 3, 2024. Participants were individuals or friends/family of individuals who are first responder firefighters, law enforcement, or emergency medical services. Battle of the Badges began in 2013 and continues to benefit a multitude of charities each year. “There is a lot that goes into putting together an event like this,” shares CrossFit MOB’s sports performance coach CJ Lovett. “With this being a charity even ..read more

The Toy Family lives in Springfield, Oregon, and faces the challenges of a Duchenne muscular dystrophy diagnosis each day. Daniel Toy (13) was diagnosed with Duchenne at a young age. Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. About two years ago, Daniel stopped walking and his muscles weakened rapidly. The family has struggled to leave the house as a group to visit friends, make doctor’s appointments, or accomplish daily activities, which is why they applied to the Jett Giving Fund. Spending time with his siblings and family ..read more

Jacob Fialkowski is 18-years-old living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Hampton, Virginia. Duchenne is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. For years, Jacob has struggled with daily challenges that Duchenne brings, such as getting into the car or attending school and family activities. As Jacob’s muscles weakened, it became more challenging and unsafe for family members to lift him into the family’s vehicle, which was not equipped for a power wheelchair. The family applied to Jett Foundation’s Jett Giving Fund in hopes of bring ..read more

On December 13, 2023, the Greg Hill Foundation and Chick-fil-A of Plymouth, MA, awarded Jett Foundation’s Executive Director, Eric Snyder, with their Community Hero Award. This award is given to those who are an unsung hero in their community, going above and beyond through acts of kindness, performing selfless acts of courage, and is known for uplifting the community. Eric was awarded with a year’s worth of Chick-fil-A as well as $2,500 toward Jett Foundation’s Annual Giving campaign. A video recording of the award celebration can be viewed here. Jett Foundation would like to thank the Greg ..read more

Diagnosed at just five years old, Victor Martinez (14) lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes a loss of motor, pulmonary, and cardiac function. Victor lives with his three sisters and mother, Natalie, in Rowlett, Texas. After Victor lost his ability to walk at age nine, the family has struggled to attend medical appointments, make the bus for school, and leave the home for any activities. They have relied entirely on public transportation to leave their home. The Martinez Family applied to Jett Foundation’s Accessible Vehicle Fund after years ..read more

WVLT 8, a news station based in Knoxville, TN, joined the Hall Family during the delivery and celebration of their new safe and accessible vehicle. The Hall Family are participants in Jett Foundation’s 2023 Accessible Vehicle Fund program. When accepted into the Accessible Vehicle Fund branch of the Jett Giving Fund, families aim to raise half the funds needed or more for their equipment. Once families reach their goal, Jett Foundation steps in to purchase the item they need and coordinate delivery. Read the full article and view video coverage on WVLT here. Originally published by WVLT8. By ..read more