Patients and Families

Living Independently with Full Equality

What is a L.I.F.E. Award?

• The Harold & Elaine Kaplan Quality of L.I.F.E. Award improves day-to-day life for individuals living with FOP
  
  
• A $1,800 USD grant for every FOP patient
  
  
• The recipient decides if they will use the grant all at once or in increments

Who can request a L.I.F.E. Award?

• Anyone living with FOP (FOP diagnosis is confirmed with a completed Patient Directory Profile)
  
  
• People with FOP of any age
  
  
• People with FOP living anywhere (international applicants are welcome)
  
  

What can a L.I.F.E. Award be used for?

Note: L.I.F.E. Awards may not be used for medical-related services including medications. 

How do I apply?

1. Complete the short application. 
   
   
2. The L.I.F.E. Awards Committee made up of patients and families, reviews all applications. Additional information may be requested.

How is the L.I.F.E. Award granted?

• There are no guarantees that a request will be granted.
  
  
• Payment for the item or service to be purchased will be paid directly to the vendor by the IFOPA. In order to complete international purchases, some assistance may be necessary from the applicant to coordinate payment with local vendors.

• Any returns/exchanges must be initiated by the individual who received the award within the allotted time frame on the vendor’s return policy. Refunded money or differences in cost for exchanged items must be returned to the IFOPA prior to purchasing a new item.

Questions? Email the IFOPA or call Family Services Coordinator Karen Kirchhoff at +1 913 558 1879.

About the Harold & Elaine Kaplan Quality of L.I.F.E. Award

Fred Kaplan, M.D. and Tina Bales Kaplan, M.D.

Elaine & Harold Kaplan

In February 2019, Dr. Frederick S. Kaplan, Isaac and Rose Nassau Professor of Orthopaedic Molecular Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania and Co-Director of the Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, donated the monetary prize he received when he was awarded The Grand Hamdan International Award in Medicine to the IFOPA Quality of L.I.F.E. Awards Program. The gift was made in memory of his beloved parents, Harold & Elaine Kaplan.

From Dr. Kaplan:

My parents adored and admired the FOP community. They loved meeting the FOP patients and families, attending many of the FOP events over the years, and hearing about the progress toward better treatments and a cure. My parents made it possible for me to attend medical school and to obtain the education that ultimately led me to a scientific, medical and emotional journey dedicated to the FOP community over the last 30 years.

My mother suffered from the ravages of Multiple Sclerosis for over 50 years. It greatly affected the quality of her life. My father dedicated his life to making her more independent and comfortable and helping her live each day to the fullest. I hope that a gift like this will symbolize how grateful I am to both of them for showing me the importance of the quality of life—and how deeply I want to improve the present—as well as the future—for the FOP community.