Member-only story

How One Father Raised $100 Million and Bucked the Medical Establishment in a Quest to Cure His Son's Rare Disease

Salman Rushdie

·18.3k Followers· Follow

Published in The Cure: How A Father Raised $100 Million And Bucked The Medical Establishment In A Quest To Save His Children

5 min read · 2 weeks before

486 View Claps

41 Respond

Save

Listen

When Ben and Heather Mullin's son, Sam, was diagnosed with a rare and fatal disease, they were told there was no hope. But the Mullins refused to accept that answer. They decided to take matters into their own hands and launch a foundation dedicated to finding a cure for Sam's disease.

In this inspiring article, we'll tell the story of how the Mullin family raised $100 million and bucked the medical establishment in their quest to cure Sam's disease. We'll also share some of the hard-earned lessons they learned along the way.

The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million--and Bucked the Medical Establishment--in a Quest to Save His Children

by Geeta Anand

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	870 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	370 pages

The Diagnosis

Sam Mullin was just 6 years old when he was diagnosed with Sanfilippo syndrome, a rare and fatal disease that affects the body's ability to break down sugar molecules. As a result, Sam's brain and organs were slowly being destroyed.

The doctors told the Mullin family that there was no cure for Sanfilippo syndrome. They said that Sam would likely die before he reached adulthood.

The Decision

The Mullin family was devastated by Sam's diagnosis. But they refused to give up hope. They decided to launch a foundation dedicated to finding a cure for Sanfilippo syndrome.

The Mullin family called their foundation Cure Sanfilippo Foundation. Their mission was to raise money for research into Sanfilippo syndrome and to provide support to families affected by the disease.

The Fundraising

The Mullin family knew that they needed to raise a lot of money to fund their research. They started by reaching out to their friends and family. They also organized fundraising events, such as walks and dinners.

As word of their story spread, the Mullin family began to receive donations from people all over the world. They also received grants from foundations and corporations.

Within a few years, the Mullin family had raised $100 million for their foundation. This money has been used to fund research into Sanfilippo syndrome and to provide support to families affected by the disease.

The Research

The Mullin family's fundraising efforts have helped to fund groundbreaking research into Sanfilippo syndrome. This research has led to the development of new treatments that have shown promising results in clinical trials.

One of the most promising new treatments for Sanfilippo syndrome is gene therapy. Gene therapy involves replacing the defective gene that causes Sanfilippo syndrome with a healthy gene. This treatment has shown to be effective in animal models, and it is currently being tested in clinical trials.

The Impact

The Mullin family's work has had a profound impact on the lives of families affected by Sanfilippo syndrome. Their fundraising efforts have helped to fund research that has led to the development of new treatments. These treatments have given families hope for a future where their children can live long and healthy lives.

The Mullin family's story is an inspiration to us all. It shows us that we can make a difference in the world, even if we are facing overwhelming challenges.

Lessons Learned

The Mullin family has learned a lot from their experience. Here are some of the most important lessons they have learned:

* Never give up hope. Even when the odds are stacked against you, never give up hope. The Mullin family never gave up hope that they would find a cure for Sam's disease. Their perseverance paid off, and they have now raised $100 million to fund research into Sanfilippo syndrome. * Be bold. Don't be afraid to take risks and to think outside the box. The Mullin family was bold enough to launch their own foundation and to raise money from people all over the world. Their boldness has paid off, and they have now made a real difference in the lives of families affected by Sanfilippo syndrome. * Don't be afraid to ask for help. The Mullin family couldn't have raised $100 million without the help of their friends, family, and supporters. Don't be afraid to ask for help from others. You may be surprised at how willing people are to help you achieve your goals.

The Mullin family's story is a reminder that we can all make a difference in the world. We all have the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of others. All it takes is a little bit of perseverance, boldness, and a willingness to ask for help.

The Mullin family's story is an inspiration to us all. It shows us that we can make a difference in the world, even if we are facing overwhelming challenges. Never give up hope. Be bold. Don't be afraid to ask for help. And never stop fighting for what you believe in.

Together, we can make a world of difference for children with rare diseases.

The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million--and Bucked the Medical Establishment--in a Quest to Save His Children

by Geeta Anand

4.6 out of 5