Learn about our mission, team, and the cause behind Dry in July
A passionate group of high school students dedicated to raising awareness and funds for rare diseases like cystinosis.
Kale Patel
Leader & Website Creator
Itzel Zamora
Marketing Team
Rebecca Lin
Website Page Writer
Ava Levemore
Marketing Team
Inspired by Aarav’s Story, we were deeply moved by the challenges posed by rare, life-threatening diseases like cystinosis. To make a difference, we’ve partnered with Aarav’s Time to Shine and the Cystinosis Research Foundation to organize a fun and meaningful fundraiser, “Dry in July,” to support cystinosis research.
Our goal is to raise awareness and funds for rare, incurable, and under-funded diseases like cystinosis to accelerate the search for a cure.
- Rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CTNS gene.
- Leads to a defective cystine transporter (cystinosin) in lysosomes.
- Cystine builds up, forming crystals that damage cells and tissues.
- Kidneys: Fanconi syndrome, impairing nutrient reabsorption.
- Eyes: Crystal buildup causes photophobia (light sensitivity).
- Muscles & Brain: Progressive weakness and neurological issues.
- Other Organs: Impacts liver, pancreas, thyroid, and more.
- Nephropathic (Infantile): Most common and severe, with early onset.
- Intermediate: Milder, with later-onset kidney issues.
- Ocular: Affects only the eyes, no kidney damage.
- Stunted growth, excessive urination, or thirst.
- Kidney failure by age 10 if untreated.
- Vision problems, muscle wasting, hypothyroidism, diabetes.
- Cysteamine to reduce cystine buildup.
- Supportive care: electrolyte replacement, kidney transplants, etc.
- Lifelong monitoring and therapy.
How It Works
“Dry in July” is a challenge to refrain from adult beverages for the month of July, raising funds for the Cystinosis Research Foundation (CRF). You can participate in three ways:
- Become a Sponsor: Support a participant by pledging a donation for each successful dry day.
- Become a Participant: Lead a team, gather sponsors, and track your dry days on our website.
- Become a General Donor: Make a direct donation to CRF. Email us at dryinjulyforatts@gmail.com for assistance.
Setup (Participants)
- Choose Sponsors: Select friends or family to support your challenge.
- Set Contributions: Decide how much you and your sponsors will donate per successful dry day (e.g., $2–$5 per day).
- Add Sponsor Info: Provide names and email addresses for your sponsors.
- Verification: Agree to our honor system for tracking.
Daily Play
- Track Success: Log your dry days on the website during the daily logging period (4:00 PM to midnight).
- Daily Contributions: Successful days add to your donation total, tracked on the website but donated directly to CRF.
What If You Slip Up?
If you don’t stay dry, you can spin the “Cheat Day” Wheel, which determines a donation multiplier (1x, 1.1x, 1.2x, or 1.5x of your daily total). You cover the full amount for that day.
Key Things to Remember
- Honor System: Be honest when logging your dry days and updating sponsors.
- Direct Donations: The website tracks totals, but donations are made directly to CRF at the end of the challenge.
- Miss Logging Period: If you do not log your day, the day will automatically be assigned as a cheat day (1.2x multiplier). Please reach out to us if you need accommodations for this.