Thank you for making this possible

Diana Peña’s daughter rarely has the opportunity to spend time with others who understand life with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP). 

When the pair received a travel stipend from the IFOPA to attend the 2023 Family Gathering, it was a life-changing opportunity for both of them. 

The Peña family was one of seven Spanish-speaking families who received stipend support to fly to Dallas for the Family Gathering last year. 

Since FOP is an ultra-rare disease, most individuals living with FOP don’t have the opportunity to spend time with other FOP families in person. The Family Gathering is a unique opportunity for families to connect in person, expand their network of medical support, learn about adaptive tools and receive needed encouragement. 

"It’s a blessing for us as Mexicans to have arrived here in Dallas with the great support of the IFOPA," said María de la Luz Zamora Ruiz, a guardian of a child with FOP, who was a travel stipend recipient. "We learned a lot, in every sense. We’re very, very grateful." 

The "I" in the IFOPA is just as important as the rest of the letters, and that's why our mission includes supporting the international community. Bringing families from Mexico and Latin America to Dallas last year allowed us to live out this mission—and your generosity made it possible! 

Family support is a critical component of our foundation’s origin and ongoing purpose. Thanks to your monthly giving, we are able to care for families like these who otherwise might never have the opportunity to meet other families with FOP in person. 

Together, we can build a more hopeful future for everyone impacted by FOP around the world! Thank you for being a vital member of this global community. 

This year, Family Gathering will take place in Denver, Colorado, from November 7 to November 9! Learn more about this year’s schedule and theme.

If you have any questions or comments about this article, contact Cathryn Roys, Community Fundraising & Special Projects Manager, at [email protected] or +1 (843) 709-3244.