Drew’s Journey to Improve the World

drew-brother

When Drew Richard was only six months old, his parents noticed that his twin brother Bryce had started crawling but Drew had not. His parents took him to their pediatrician who diagnosed him with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Today, Drew is a very passionate college student who loves music and traveling. Unfortunately, his accessible van is on its last leg. He is now raising money through GoFundMe to get back on the road!

Drew is currently finishing up his senior year at the University of Illinois and plans to enroll in grad school next fall. He is seeking a Master’s in Public Policy with a career path in environmental protection.  Ideally, Drew plans to specialize in water management  with the goal of improving the world’s water efficiency issues.

When he is not working hard at school, Drew loves to travel. He has been fortunate enough to travel between the beaches of Florida and the mountains of Colorado. The first trip he would like to take in his new van is to the Northwest to visit states like Montana, Oregon and Washington. Their unique culture, cuisine and dedication to the conservation of the earth are some of the reasons he would like to visit.

GoFundMe Advice from Drew

So far, Drew has been able to raise over $21,000 towards his goal of $45,000!  His advice to anyone starting a GoFundMe  is, “Put your heart and  soul into what you love, what you care for, and most importantly what you will stand up for, and people will support you. As long as you plan to do good and promote positive things with the money others have worked hard to earn and set aside, I believe anyone is capable of raising funds for a good cause.”

Click Here to support Drew’s campaign and learn more about his story.

About Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a rare genetic disease that affects approximately 1 in 10,000 babies, however as high as 1 in 50 Americans may be carriers. SMA blocks  the motor neuron gene from producing a protein that is critical to nerves responsible for controlling muscles. Although, this is Drew’s diagnosis, he has never let it define him!

Always consult with a tax advisor or legal counsel before starting any fundraising activity. Be sure to check with your local Medicaid (or other applicable assistance program) office to verify the permissibility of fundraising activities. We recommend that you review the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of any fundraising campaign with a trusted advisor before beginning any fundraising campaign.