Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund
Help Elliot Live Proud. That is the promise behind every letter written, every card played, and every dollar raised through Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund.
A Grandmother’s Love in Action
When Iris Adler’s grandson Elliott was diagnosed with CMT2A, a hereditary form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease that affects nerve function and can cause progressive muscle weakness, Iris did what many grandparents do: she showed up. But she showed up in a way that has changed the lives of countless people living with CMT.
Iris founded Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund and built a community fundraising effort rooted in a simple, powerful belief: “Every dollar counts and every dollar adds up!” Year after year, she has organized a letter-writing campaign that reaches family, friends, and supporters across the country, asking each of them to give what they can in Elliott’s name.
What the Fund Has Made Possible
The H.E.L.P. Fund channels its donations directly to the Therapeutic Research in Accelerated Discovery (TRIAD) Program at the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF). This program supports scientific research targeting one of the most common forms of CMT2A, working to bring new treatments and, ultimately, a cure closer to reality.
Through Iris’s dedication, Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund has raised over $500,000 for TRIAD research. That milestone is a testament to what a single family, fueled by love, can accomplish.
The Card Party Brunch Tradition
Each winter, Iris brings her community together for the H.E.L.P. Fund Card Party Brunch at Broken Sound Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida. The afternoon is filled with canasta and mahjong, great food and drinks, a boutique, and a silent auction. H.E.L.P. supporters, friends, and members of the broader CMT community come together not just to raise funds but to celebrate the people they love and the progress being made.
It is a gathering that turns generosity into joy.
Why This Matters for the CMT Community
CMT2A is caused by mutations in the MFN2 gene and can bring significant challenges, including muscle weakness, difficulty with balance, and the need for braces or other supports. There is currently no approved treatment that changes the course of the disease. Research funded through programs like TRIAD gives real hope to Elliott and to the more than 150,000 Americans living with some form of CMT.
Every dollar Iris raises moves that research forward.
Support Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund
You can make a gift directly to Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund and know that your donation goes to work in the TRIAD research program at HNF.
Start Your Own Community Fundraiser
Iris began with a simple letter and a deep love for her grandson. You can do the same. HNF’s community fundraising program, Team CMT, makes it easy to create a personal fundraiser in honor of someone you love, for a birthday, an athletic event, or any occasion that matters to you.
Your story is worth telling. Your community is ready to help. Start your Team CMT fundraiser today.
What is Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund?
Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund (Help Elliot Live Proud) is a family-led community fundraising effort founded by Iris Adler after her grandson Elliott was diagnosed with CMT2A. Each year, Iris leads a letter-writing campaign and hosts a Card Party Brunch to raise money for the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation’s TRIAD research program.
Where do donations go?
All gifts made through Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund support the Therapeutic Research in Accelerated Discovery (TRIAD) Program at HNF, which funds scientific research focused on CMT2A and the pursuit of new treatments.
How can I donate to Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund?
You can give directly through the fund’s donation page: Donate to Elliott’s H.E.L.P. Fund. You can also make a general gift to HNF at /donate.
Can I start a community fundraiser like this for someone I love?
Absolutely. HNF’s Team CMT program is designed for exactly this purpose. You can create a personal fundraiser in honor of a family member, friend, or in celebration of any milestone. Visit Support the Cure to learn more about your options.
What is CMT2A?
CMT2A is a hereditary form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease caused by mutations in the MFN2 gene. It can cause progressive muscle weakness, reduced sensation, and the need for braces or other supports. There is currently no approved treatment that changes the course of the disease, which is why research funding is so important.