TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A non-profit created by Florida State head football coach Jimbo Fisher and his wife Candi has reached a fundraising milestone. Their most recent Kidz1Fund check places the total amount of donations raised to fight Fanconi Anemia at $1,000,000.
Kidz1stFund was created by the Fishers asfter their 7-year-old son was diagnosed with the rare blood disorder in 2011. Fanconi anemia is a genetic disease which causes possible birth defects, bone marrow failure and eventually leads to cancer years earlier than the general population. Currently, there is no cure for FA.
“FA is our opponent and we will do everything we can to fight this disease head on,” said Jimbo Fisher. “Candi and I knew from the beginning we could make a difference by helping to raise awareness and fund research. Through the generous donors of Kidz1stFund, these million dollars will make a significant difference in the lives of FA patients.”
Money donated to Kids1stFund go directly to organizations dedicated to finding a cure for the disease, and treating children with the disease. The organization made its first pledge of $500,000 in March of 2012 to the University of Minnesota’s Amplatz Children’s Hospital, doubling the university’s research budget for Fanconi anemia.
“We chose the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital because it treats more Fanconi anemia patients needing blood and marrow transplantation than all other hospitals in the country combined,” said Candi Fisher. “And because, most importantly, their team of doctors gave us hope that a cure would be found.”
