Our Mission
Today, despite frequent intravenous drug therapies since birth and numerous rodding surgeries, Mallie's ability to walk remains in jeopardy. In October 2009 Mallie had revolutionary telescopic rods placed in her long bones. This is remarkable progress that gives Mallie the best chance at maintaining her mobility. However, as with any newer technology, complications do exist and fractures can still occur. Just last year a tibia fracture bent the telescopic rod, which will no longer expand as Mallie grows. Eventually, Mallie will require her 5th surgery to replace the bent rod. That's why now is the time to fund the search for these types of breakthroughs. Waiting just ten years from now will be too late. Breakthroughs in these areas will be irrelevant as Mallie will be past her prime growth stage. Therefore, it is critical to expedite tomorrow's research today.
Turning the corner... In late 2006, Mallie's parents were able to secure a tremendously generous gift from a private donor. Their $110,000 gift to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation established a two year Research Fellowship that brought us one giant step closer to a cure for Mallie. Since Mallie's father was a newly elected member of the Board of Directors for the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, this gift was eligible for the "Board Challenge." That meant that a $55,000 match was applied and funded a third year of the Research Fellowship. 
The goal...
This private donor personally challenged Mallie's father to raise an additional $110,000 over the next three years in order to fund a fourth and fifth year of the Research Fellowship. UPDATE: On 11/11/10 we celebrated reaching our goal of raising $110,000 with family and friends! The private donor has planted the seed to establish new research. With the help of Mallie's Friends, we can sustain that research through the Mallie's Friends Research Legacy. Investing in Mallie's future... We remain extremely grateful for Mallie's Friends generosity and support. The heightened sense of urgency creates the need for your financial commitment for the foreseeable future. Please give special consideration to making or increasing your contribution. This is an investment that will speed the course of research. Your dividend is the technological advancements and medical breakthroughs that will improve Mallie's life. Please join us and Mallie's Friends to make the dreams of tomorrow a reality for Mallie today. Sincerely, Greg, Leigh, Mallie & Liam Holman |
