By Jacki Thornburg, Broker/Owner of EXIT Realty Heart Properties in Ocean Springs, MS
My friend started the United MSD (Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency) Foundation in hopes to find a cure for her daughter that was diagnosed with a rare disease. In the past seven years the foundation has gone global, and they’ve found many kids that have this same rare disease. The doctors have known that this is a genetic disorder, so if they fix the impaired gene, the child could be cured. With past funds they figured out how to fix the gene with gene therapy so now we just need to fund the production of the treatment, is very expensive.
“Zebra” is a term for people with rare diseases. With that in mind, we held a big charity event called Zebra Fest. Our fundraiser night, held at Val’s Sports Bar & Grill, consisted of a silent auction, spaghetti dinner, and raffle. EXIT Realty Heart Properties also had many agents participate in the 6th annual Zebra 5K run and had an exhibit booth at the event to give the community an opportunity to learn about their local real estate market.
We are passionate about helping to raise money and awareness for the United MSD Foundation because every child deserves a happy life and the children impacted by this ruthless disease are so close to being cured, it’s just a matter of fundraising to cover the costs of clinical trials.
A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. Through the Spirit of EXIT Charitable Program, EXIT offices and associates can raise money for local, approved, registered charities and apply to EXIT’s head office to have those funds matched from the company’s pool of funds. EXIT Realty Corp. International committed to match the net funds raised by EXIT Associates benefiting United MSD Foundation up to $2,500. EXIT Realty Heart Properties raised $7,500 for a total of $10,000 for this worthy cause.
“Thank you for hosting 2023 Zebra Fest in support of the United MSD Foundation. Your outstanding leadership and commitment to this cause and our community is greatly appreciated by us and the families we serve,” said Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, Executive Director of United MSD Foundation.
