Emily Progin, Content Manager
[email protected] / 800.642.8399
COMMUNITY CAN HELP ONE OF WORLD’S RAREST 12-YEAR-OLDS
Help Fund a Life-Changing Wheelchair Van for Sara White
Roy, Utah—The Roy community is rallying to help fund a life-changing need for 12-year-old Sara White: a wheelchair van. Sara is the only known case in the world of an ultra-rare chromosomal disorder that impacts her health and mobility. Donations are tax deductible through the national nonprofit Help Hope Live.
At 12 years old, Sara has already faced more medical challenges than most people experience in a lifetime. Born with a rare chromosomal abnormality, Sara lives with heart disease, development delays, hearing impairment, and seizures and relies on a wheelchair for mobility.
“She faces challenges every single day with a bright and engaging smile,” explained stepmom and caregiver Jennifer Conrad. “We want her to live life to the fullest.”
Sara has experienced multiple surgeries and hospitalizations, including open heart surgery in October 2024 and an upcoming spinal surgery this year.
As she grows, it has become impossible for her family to safely transport her anywhere without a wheelchair accessible van. “It’s difficult to transfer her without hurting her,” explained Jennifer. “Without a van, her surgery in 2025 can’t move forward safely.”
Though the van is critical for Sara to remain healthy and keep accessing her community, it is not covered by insurance, leaving her family with a huge out-of-pocket expense. That’s why they started fundraising with the trusted national nonprofit Help Hope Live.
Donations can be made at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/24598/
The van is critical not just for medical care but also to allow Sara to enjoy life with her family like any other 12-year-old.
“We just want to enjoy life, and each other, but even going to the store for groceries or going out to dinner as a family is extremely difficult,” Jennifer said. “We would love to be able to explore trails and nature with Sara and enjoy theaters, zoos, parades, and other events.”
As they hope for a brighter future with a wheelchair van in place, Sara’s family focuses on the blessings pouring in from their community: “Thanks for everything you do to help us give Sara her best life. We appreciate every donation, share, and prayer—they all help us move forward towards our goal.”
Unlike a GoFundMe campaign, donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be administered by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $188 million to pay patient expenses. ###
