Our Mission
Maddie’s Spark Foundation raises awareness of VLCAD deficiency and related long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders, accelerates scientific research, and empowers affected families while transforming hope into action and driving progress toward effective treatments, therapies, and a cure.
Our Vision
A world where a cure for VLCAD deficiency exists and every child affected can grow up healthy, supported, and able to thrive.
Our Values
Hope with Purpose
We believe that hope is powerful when paired with action. Every initiative we pursue is guided by the belief that progress is possible and every child deserves a future.
Families First
Families living with VLCAD and related disorders are at the heart of our mission. We listen to their experiences and work to provide resources, education, and support that empower them to navigate the journey ahead.
Science and Progress
We support credible, collaborative scientific research that advances understanding, improves care, and moves the rare disease community closer to effective treatments and cures.
Collaborative Impact
Progress in rare disease research requires partnership. We work alongside clinicians, researchers, hospitals, advocates, and industry leaders to accelerate meaningful change.
Integrity and Stewardship
We honor the trust placed in us by donors, families, and partners by operating with transparency, responsibility, and a commitment to using every resource to further our mission.
Advocacy & Awareness
We believe that awareness saves lives. By elevating the voices of those affected by VLCAD and related disorders, we work to improve understanding, diagnosis, and support across communities.
Maddie’s Spark Foundation was created in honor of our daughter, Maddie, whose vibrant spirit inspires everything we do. After experiencing the challenges and uncertainties of VLCAD firsthand, we felt called to turn our love for her and our advocacy for her into something that could help other families facing the same journey. Through this foundation, we are committed to raising awareness, supporting research, and building a community where families living with VLCAD feel supported, understood, and never alone.
— Ashley and Tom Bauer, Founders and Maddie's parents