The story of Raquel
I was born a healthy and beautiful girl, yet at 8 months old I started showing signs of illness. My parents lovingly and non stop started searching among doctors, did multiple tests to find what was happening to me. Finally we reached the diagnose of a very rare mitochondrial disease. I’m the only diagnosed case in Mexico with ECHS1-D, and there are about 50 around the world. After much work and research my amazing mom started a campaign to raise funds for a gene therapy investigation at U.T Southwestern in Dallas, Texas, which can be the cure not only for my condition but for others. This campaign evolved into what is now GENerando esperanza, a foundation with the mission to not only finish the funding but to also raise awareness on my and similar conditions, the importance of genetic testing, to talk about different disabilities and how to build a more empath and educated society, plus help other families cure their children. Thank you for reading!