Megan Stephens

Megan Stephens's Fundraiser

Accelerate Telomere Biology Disorder Research image

Accelerate Telomere Biology Disorder Research

Join me and make a difference, donate today to drive TBD research forward!

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Our connection with Team Telomere started in 2014 when Gabby was four and she was diagnosed with Dyskeratosis Congenita, a Telomere Biology Disorder. Gabby underwent a successful sibling donor bone marrow transplant six months later. Gabby is now looking forward to her 15th birthday, something we never thought we'd be lucky enough to celebrate 10 years ago. (Note donations to this page are in US dollars)

I am walking and Gabby is riding for research this June to raise money for vital Telomere Biology Disorder (TBD) research. Team Telomere is part of the Million Dollar Bike Ride through Penn Medicine’s Orphan Disease Center, where every dollar raised is matched to fund a pilot research grant. On June 14th, we will be walking/riding in celebration with my TBD community for all of the funds we have raised.

Since her diagnosis, Team Telomere has been here for us every step of the way. We are incredibly thankful for the emphasis, effort and resources that Team Telomere dedicate to research in the field of telomere biology disorders. We know that had Gabby been diagnosed a few years earlier, she may not have benefited from a reduced intensity transplant protocol and her outcome may have been very different. Despite living on the other side of the globe we could not feel the hope of our Team Telomere community more than we do during the MDBR campaigns. The hope the prospect of new research gives us is immeasurable.

Team Telomere is part of the Million Dollar Bike Ride through Penn Medicine’s Orphan Disease Center. To date, they have raised over $580,000 for TBD research through this effort. From supporting TBD-specific clinical trials, investigating potential treatments, and better understanding the TBD disease process, the TBD field has been shaped by funding this impactful research.

Team Telomere's goal for this year is to raise $40,000 to directly fund a pilot research grant.

Will you help me in accelerating TBD research and reaching my fundraising goal with a donation today?