From Our Hearts
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Through our own personal journey with our dear son, Mitchell, we know firsthand the heartache that parents face, when their child is diagnosed with a critical illness. Mitchell developed an undiagnosed illness at the age of 13 and lost everything by the age of 18 when he died. We were consistently faced with overwhelming medical bills, mortgage payments, car payments, and other essential bills being backed up. Paying medical bills on top of everything else was next to impossible. Our first priority was always caring for our son. The community rallied together to fundraise money to help us stay afloat and take us out of medical bill debt, which was our saving grace. After our ordeal, we never thought that we would or could form a non-profit, but through our strength, we created the Mitchell Thorp Foundation to give back to the community that helped us. The foundation has helped hundreds of children & families in our community, so they do not face the same impossible challenges we once did. Since our founding in 2009, we have discovered that over 50% of families, whose child is diagnosed with a critical illness, experience divorce or separation. The stress will test families beyond their endurance, often bankrupting them financially, emotionally and physically. We have had a success rate of 100% in keeping family units together through their crisis. Through the foundation, communities of willing and giving hearts come together to create miracles.
Brad & Beth Thorp Co-Founders |
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Our Mission
Supporting families whose children suffer from life-threatening illnesses, diseases, and disorders by providing financial, emotional and resource support to their desperate situation.
Our Purpose
To make a difference today for a child who is fighting for their tomorrow, bringing hope and relief, while transforming lives in the process. Our focus is to provide individualized aid to meet the needs of the child and family through our Medical and Home Assistance Program, Healing and Rehabilitation Program, and Conversion Van Program.
Our Inspiration
The foundation was inspired by our son Mitchell, who fought a 5-year courageous battle with an undiagnosed illness that took our family across the United States looking for answers. Mitchell could no longer walk or talk, and he had difficulty seeing. The pain in his head was so severe, that no medicine helped and he went through myoclonic seizures due to the constant pain. None of the hospitals or doctors could heal him or even find what caused his excruciating pain. Mitchell’s life-threatening symptoms began at age 13 and he passed away at age 18. Through our own personal journey with our dear son, Mitchell, we know firsthand the heartache that parents face when their child is diagnosed with a critical illness. Mitchell lives on through the Mitchell Thorp Foundation as inspiration to children who suffer from life-threatening illnesses.
We truly understand what community is all about after so many gathered for a walk-a-thon to raise money for our overwhelming medical bills. We received incredible emotional and financial support and an outpouring of love. Since our founding in 2009, we have discovered that over 50% of families whose child is diagnosed with a critical illness experience divorce or separation due to the unimaginable stress. These families are tested beyond their endurance, bankrupting them financially, emotionally, mentally, and physically. However, when communities of willing and giving hearts come together, miracles DO happen. This has been our experience and the experience of the Mitchell Thorp Foundation. Our families do not want pity; they just need a helping hand in a time of crisis. We encourage our families, by letting them know they are not alone and by giving them hope that there are good people, who really care.
We truly understand what community is all about after so many gathered for a walk-a-thon to raise money for our overwhelming medical bills. We received incredible emotional and financial support and an outpouring of love. Since our founding in 2009, we have discovered that over 50% of families whose child is diagnosed with a critical illness experience divorce or separation due to the unimaginable stress. These families are tested beyond their endurance, bankrupting them financially, emotionally, mentally, and physically. However, when communities of willing and giving hearts come together, miracles DO happen. This has been our experience and the experience of the Mitchell Thorp Foundation. Our families do not want pity; they just need a helping hand in a time of crisis. We encourage our families, by letting them know they are not alone and by giving them hope that there are good people, who really care.
Mitchell Thorp Foundation changing lives, saving lives, and impacting lives...one child at a time
Mitchell Thorp Foundation is a public 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides support throughout California. Our focus is to provide individualized aid to meet the needs of the child and family through our Medical and Home Assistance Programs, Healing and Wellness Programs and Conversion Van Program (see programs for more detail). We have two major fundraisers each year to gather the community to spread awareness in support of families whose children suffer from life threatening illnesses, diseases, and disorders. The families love to come out and see how so many people are there to lend a helping hand. We also created a Youth Leadership Council Program to provide training sessions to students, ages 14-18, in servant leadership and community service.
How You Can Help
We are supported by the public through our annual events, private donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, legacy giving, and monthly giving. We welcome donations throughout the year to help us provide relief to the overwhelmed and financially strapped families and children we serve. Please consider donating today!
Scripture of Strength That Mitchell Loved and Lived By
"Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:9
