Marcel’s Way

Marcel’s Way was founded in 2003 by a group of “Mito Mothers” who came together because they saw that families needed information, education, and support to live as normal a life as possible with their newly diagnosed children suffering from mitochondrial disorders. In 2005, Marcel’s Way launched the Marcel’s Way Family Fund to help families cover the extra expenses they faced to care for their children. Grants were made to assist with the high cost of medications, services, and medical equipment.  In 2011, MitoAction agreed to carry on the legacy of the Marcel’s Way Family Fund by offering a grants-based family assistance program.

Why is a Family-Assistance Program Important for Someone Diagnosed with Mito?

Due to the complexity of the disease, no standards of care exist today for children and adults who have mitochondrial disease. As a result, many things (wheelchairs, medicines, diagnostic tests, etc.) that would be 100% covered by insurance or other resource programs for other diseases are not always covered for our mito families.

It is MitoAction’s vision that this program fund will grow so that we can offer support to every family with mitochondrial disease who ever faces an overwhelming need, thus making one part of their difficult journey a little easier.

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How to Apply for a Grant from the Marcel’s Way Family Fund

AWARDS: Grants will be no more than $500 and will be awarded, based on need, to families who
are struggling financially with costs associated with mitochondrial disease. Grants are awarded once
per lifetime, per patient.

ELIGIBILITY: Patients and families of patients living within the United States with a mitochondrial disorder will be eligible to apply for grants. There is no income eligibility to apply.

ELIGIBLE COSTS: Expenses that “promote health” or “provide relief” could include:

• Medical costs not covered by insurance;
• Housing costs for families while patients are receiving treatment away from home;
• Costs for special equipment, services, or supplies;
• Costs of modifying a home, vehicle, or workspace; or
• Costs of respite care or suitable recreational activities.

To apply for a grant from the Marcel’s Way Family Fund, submit the Application below. As part of the Application, we require two letters be submitted to MitoAction on your behalf describing the Beneficiary’s condition and confirming the usefulness of the funds requested. One letter must come from the Beneficiary’s Doctor and one letter from a Community Worker (Social Worker, Case Manager, Clergy Member, etc.). After you submit the Application below, you will receive an email with cover letters for you to submit to your Doctor and Community Worker in order to instruct them on what we require and how they can submit the information.

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