I’m riding for research—and riding for my life.

Telomere Biology Disorders (TBDs) are a group of rare genetic conditions caused by impaired maintenance of telomeres—leading to accelerated cell death across multiple organ systems. One of the most severe TBDs is Dyskeratosis Congenita (DC), which affects the skin, nails, bone marrow, lungs, liver, immune system, and predisposes patients to malignancies.

When I was diagnosed with a Telomere Biology Disorder at 31, my medical team lacked the experience to properly treat my condition. That’s where Team Telomere stepped in. They connected me with some of the best telomere experts in the country and guided me through video consultations with multiple care teams. I ultimately relocated to Cincinnati for six months to receive care at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC)—a decision that required my wife and me to pause our careers entirely.

Team Telomere doesn’t just support patients—they fight to improve the entire system. They educate legislators, labs, doctors, hospitals, and researchers to ensure rare diseases like mine are accurately diagnosed and properly treated.

Team Telomere didn’t just help us find world-class care—they helped relieve some of the financial burden through their patient support programs and were always available to answer questions and offer reassurance. During my bone marrow transplant, their network of advocates stayed in close contact, reminding me I wasn’t alone. For patients like me, Team Telomere isn’t just a nonprofit—it’s a vital support system and a community that turns fear into hope.

Despite the severity, treatments are few—and curative options like bone marrow transplants are risky, especially with preexisting organ damage. DC and other TBDs remain drastically under-researched, and many patients, like me, live in a state of uncertainty.

This is why I support Team Telomere and why I ride in the Million Dollar Bike Ride—to give others the same chance at life-saving care and connection. I’m participating in the Million Dollar Bike Ride on June 14th with Team Telomere, our global patient advocacy organization. Since 2014, we’ve helped raise over $580,000 to support research at the University of Pennsylvania’s Orphan Disease Center.

This year, we aim to raise $40,000 to directly fund a TBD research grant focused on treatments and potential therapies for conditions like mine.

Will you consider contributing to this critical research? Your support can help bring us closer to a future with targeted, effective care.

With gratitude,

Gerald Wysoczynski

#TTMDBR2025 | @TeamTelomere