Make a gift in honor of Niko today!
(Note that donations made through this form are in U.S. dollars)
Niko is the sweetest 4-year-old you could ever meet. His light shines so bright and he is a joy to the world. Niko loves to listen to music, loves bright lights and most of all, loves being around his family and friends. Niko was born in 2020 in Canada and is our youngest of 3 children. Niko was born healthy and thriving. At 4 months old we noticed that Niko was slow in hitting milestones, such as reaching for objects. After a referral to an ophthalmologist and some genetic testing, the next part of the journey began when he received a diagnosis of Mucolipidosis Type 4 at 15 months old. Niko is involved with several types of therapies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, low vision and blind therapy, feeding therapy and speech therapy. Although tiring, these therapies are essential to help his motor skills and other abilities. Along with these therapies, Niko is seen by several specialists at the Hospital for Sick Children located in Toronto. Niko is currently working on being able to stand, walk, crawl and talk. Although he cannot do these many things, he can light up a room with his infectious smile. With the help from therapies and specialists we are always remaining hopeful.
To say we worry about Niko’s future and the progression of this disease is an understatement, which is why fundraising for the ML4 Foundation is incredibly important to us. Due to the rarity of this disease, funding is so limited to researchers who are working on gene therapy and other treatments for our children with ML4. By making a donation, you are helping us raise funds for this important foundation.
Thank you so much,
The King Family
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ABOUT THE ML4 FOUNDATION
ML4 is a genetic disease caused by the mutation of a single gene that results in the loss of a protein (MCLN1). This incredibly important protein is required by the body for normal functioning: without MCLN1, children and adults with ML4 suffer from progressive and debilitating loss of gross and small motor function, go blind, develop problems chewing and swallowing, rarely have the ability to speak, cannot walk, and over time, lose many abilities that they work hard to acquire when they are young.
The funds raised by the ML4 Foundation are directed to a research program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. We have been working for several years with a team there to create a gene therapy to treat ML4. We are also funding a large-scale natural history study of ML4, bringing ML4 patients from around the world to the MGH clinic to be seen by specialists in this disease. YOUR DONATIONS made this work possible and allow it to continue at a speedy pace!
If you prefer to donate by check, you may mail it to the following address, and note that it is given in honor of Niko King.
Mucolipidosis IV Foundation
1440 Spring Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
The ML4 Foundation is a U.S. 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization.
Tax ID 13-3633501
