Dear ConnectMyVariant Community,

Some variants may have different risk profiles, or risk penetrance, than other variants of the same gene. ConnectMyVariant is working with Dr. Mary-Claire King to develop methods to calculate variant-specific cancer risk for variants in BRCA1, BRCA2 and PALB2 using extended family groups. To achieve this, we are preparing an application for a grant from the Andy Hill CARE Fund. If our application is accepted, the grant will match any donations that are pledged to ConnectMyVariant for this work by February 27, 2025. If you are interested in variant-specific risk and would like to support this effort, please consider writing a letter to pledge a donation. Your pledged amount will be included in our grant application. 

Thank you for your support!

Pledge FAQ

• When and where do I need to return my pledge letter?
  • Please send your letter to info@connectmyvariant.org by February 27, 2025.
• When do I need to contribute the money I am pledging?
  • If the grant is funded, it will start after October 2025 and go for two years. Donating any time during that period is acceptable.
• Would it be better just to donate to ConnectMyVariant?
  • ConnectMyVariant uses all donations received at any time to advance its mission of ending hereditary disease by bringing families together. A pledge letter will give us the opportunity to receive one-to-one matching funds from the Andy Hill CARE Fund, potentially doubling your gift.
• If ConnectMyVariant doesn’t get the grant, where will my pledged money go?
  • Pledged funds will still go toward ConnectMyVariant’s mission of ending hereditary disease by bringing families together, which includes helping families understand variant-specific risk.
• Is my donation tax deductible?
  • ConnectMyVariant is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit business. Donations may be tax deductible in the United States.

Example pledge letter

Dear Andy Hill CARE Fund,

I am writing to let you know that I am pledging to donate [$XXX] to ConnectMyVariant’s project to develop methods to calculate variant-specific risk. I hope that this project is funded because understanding variant-specific risk is important to me, my family and others like me. It is likely to make a difference in my treatment and prevention and has potential to lead to better understanding of gene function and treatment. This project is important enough to me that I am committing my direct support.

On a personal note, [Feel free to write a few sentences of additional information about why understanding your gene variant is important to you, how you have connected with others who have your variant, or how the work of ConnectMyVariant has helped you].

Sincerely,

[Your signature]

Donate

ConnectMyVariant is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Your tax-deductible donation helps families prevent hereditary disease.

Visit our donation page at Every.org to give.