Hope shines 'Brighter': Suneel's Light Foundation partners with Jett Foundation to support families caring for loved ones with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Newly launched Brighter Days Community Support Fund will provide vital safety-net for Duchenne’s families across 30 counties of upstate New York

Press Release

To provide a beacon of hope for families grappling with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) across upstate New York, Suneel's Light Foundation has launched a new critical community grant program, Brighter Days Community Support Fund. The annual program started Sept. 6 and is a dedicated emergency assistance for families across the 30 counties that make up Western New York, the Finger Lakes region, and Central New York, providing vital financial support to families facing unforeseen circumstances derived from caring for a loved one suffering from Duchenne’s. The newly established grant program provides financial aid to qualified families and individuals residing in identified communities across upstate New York.

Eligible expenses include essentials like rent/mortgage assistance, utilities, transportation, food, quality of life support, adaptive devices and medical care. The program is designed to help alleviate stress and allow families to focus on their loved one's health and well-being during what can be very challenging and expensive times.

Suneel’s Light Foundation has committed $50,000 for the inaugural year of the program with plans to expand in the future based on the needs of applicants and the number of applications submitted this year.

The program is being administered by Jett Foundation, a national nonprofit headquartered in Plymouth, Massachusetts, which works to empower people and families impacted by DMD through the development of transformative programming, educational opportunities, and ongoing support for every stage of a Duchenne journey. Jett Foundation was chosen to administer the program based on its experience in this area through its well-respected Emergency Fund program, which is open to New York families, and to provide a transparent and equitable application and selection process.

Though Suneel’s Light Foundation will provide strategic insight to the new program, it wanted to ensure a seamless and unbiased program by having an experienced organization administer, especially one that has been supporting families across the region successfully for years.

Jett Foundation's extensive experience supporting families with DMD, combined with Suneel's Light Foundation's generosity, creates a powerful partnership. This collaboration will ensure families uninterrupted access to essential needs when facing unforeseen challenges.

Suneel’s Light Foundation is based in Buffalo, and developed the program to support families specifically based on the unique needs of these families and the significant economic means differential they have compared to other parts of the Empire State.

DMD is a progressive genetic disease causing muscle weakness. Caring for a loved one with Duchenne presents unique challenges, and unexpected hardships can create a significant financial burden. Suneel's Light Foundation recognizes this struggle, and their grant empowers Jett Foundation to offer a lifeline to New York families in need.

To apply, eligible applicants must visit either the Jett Foundation’s website (www.jettfoundation.org/giving-fund/emergency-fund) or access the link on the Suneel’s Light Foundation’s website, www.suneelslight.com, and fill out the application for the Suneel’s Light Foundation’s Support Fund. The link will direct to the Jett Foundation’s Emergency Fund application.

In efforts to help families in need in real time, the application process will be rolling until funds are exhausted.

Impactful & meaningful partnership

"Thanks to Suneel's Light Foundation's generous support, Jett Foundation will be able to assist Suneel’s Light Foundation in their mission to be a needed safety net for Upstate New York families facing the daily challenges of caring for a loved one with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This financial assistance will be a huge relief for families already under immense strain,” said Jett Foundation Executive Director Eric Snyder.

“Suneel’s Light Foundation’s Support Fund was designed to be a vital lifeline for families struggling with financial obstacles associated with caring for someone with Duchenne’s, and we are proud to support these amazing families across upstate New York in their time of need,” said Tom Maher, president of Suneel’s Light Foundation. “This program aligns with our foundation’s ethos of enhancing the quality of life for those with Duchenne’s, and we are privileged to have the Jett Foundation as a partner in this initiative. Their expertise in grant giving will ensure that funds will be awarded to those most in need in a seamless way. We look forward to growing this program in the future and are privileged to be able to help our upstate Duchenne’s community in our shared path of caring for those with inflected.”

About Suneel’s Light Foundation

Established in 2002 in Western New York, Suneel's Light is a charitable foundation whose namesake is a teenage boy who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The foundation was established to grow public awareness and fund critical research for treatments and a cure for DMD. Over the past two decades, the Suneel’s Light Foundation has raised more than $1.5 million to fund groundbreaking research aimed at treating, and ultimately curing, DMD; and improving the lives of those affected by the disease. For more information about Suneel’s Light or DMD, visit www.suneelslight.com.

About Jett Foundation

Since 2001, Jett Foundation has worked to empower people and families impacted by DMD through the development of transformative programming, educational opportunities, and ongoing support for every stage of a Duchenne journey. Jett Foundation is a registered charity with 501(c)(3) status from the IRS; all donations are tax-deductible. For more information, visit www.jettfoundation.org.

To learn more about Jett Foundation’s Emergency Fund, visit jettfoundation.org/jett-giving-fund/emergency-fund. To become a sponsor of the program, email [email protected].