It’s January 13th, exactly 2 months since we started this trial back in November, joking about it being a “Novel Approach” to start a fundraising campaign on Friday the 13th. However, there was nothing unlucky about it because we SURPASSED our goal, raising $272,977 dollars thanks to your generosity and support.
So the TNF Immunotherapy Trial is fully funded! The next step is final approval of the trial protocol from the Institutional Review Boards, which is expected in the first quarter of 2021. Then the patient enrollment can begin. We will let you know through our email newsletter when that begins.
Having surpassed our goal we want to reassure you, we still have to fund other research projects and our post-mortem tissue donation program each year so 100% of your donation will be utilized.
I must say we are overwhelmed by the support we receive from the Swifty community. January is an unbelievably difficult time for me and for my family. As you know, Michael died on Jan 6th, 2013, but what you may not know is that my mom died AT Michael’s funeral. Totally unexpectedly. It’s impossible to describe the impact of those tragedies on our family.
Our family, friends and faith have been vital in our grief journey. However, working on Michael’s Master Plan of preventing other families from enduring the unimaginable loss of a child, has given purpose and meaning to extremely dark days. And NONE of it would be possible without YOU. We could not fund trials, build a national post-mortem tissue collection program or support research without the generosity of the amazing people who have heard Michael’s Plan and gotten inspired by his goal and his gentle spirit.
We’ve made it through another anniversary week for Michael and my mom. This work, our faith, the great love of family and friends and your continued support carried us through.
