Fundraising for Brazilian brothers reaches R$ 3.2 million for US clinical trial

A fundraising campaign for two brothers from Acre, Brazil, Pedro and Tiago Fleming, has reached R$ 3.2 million toward a R$ 5.2 million goal. The funds are intended to finance their participation in a gene therapy clinical study in the United States.

The brothers are diagnosed with Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C (LGMD2C), a rare, progressive genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and can eventually impact respiratory and cardiac functions. Without treatment, medical expectations suggest they may lose the ability to walk during childhood.

The family has received confirmation that the first stage of the process, a screening for the clinical study, is scheduled for November 19 in the United States. The study has only four available spots for patients worldwide. The campaign has received support from various volunteers, companies, and institutions, including the Brazilian Bar Association in Acre (OAB/AC), which contributed R$ 188,000.