Mercale to donate 2% of sales to fund rare disease treatment for two brothers

The Mercale supermarket chain has announced a charitable initiative to support a fundraising campaign for two brothers from Acre, Brazil, Pedro and Tiago. On August 19 and 20, the company will donate 2% of its total revenue from all stores to the cause. This donation comes directly from the company's earnings, meaning there is no additional cost to customers.

Both children have been diagnosed with Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C, a rare, progressive, and degenerative genetic disease that causes gradual loss of muscle strength and can affect the heart and lungs. The family is aiming to raise R$ 5.2 million (approximately US$ 1 million) to fund the brothers' participation in a gene therapy clinical study in the United States. This specific therapy targets their genetic mutation and has reportedly shown a 90% improvement in muscle function in previous subjects.

As of August 12, the campaign had raised approximately R$ 1.59 million, nearly one-third of the total goal. The clinical study currently has only four vacancies available worldwide, adding urgency to the fundraising efforts.