Be the Spark for VLCAD Deficiency Awareness Day
July 17 is VLCAD Deficiency Awareness Day. This annual day raises awareness about this rare disease, honors families affected by VLCAD deficiency, and fuels research toward better treatments and a cure.
What is VLCAD Deficiency?
VLCAD deficiency is a rare genetic metabolic disorder that affects how the body converts certain fats into energy. Families living with VLCAD often face strict daily management, emergency precautions, hospitalizations, and ongoing uncertainty. Increased awareness and research are critical to improving care, outcomes, and quality of life for affected children and families.
What July 17 Matters?
VLCAD Deficiency Awareness Day was created to bring visibility to a rare disorder that too few people know about while uniting families, advocates, physicians, and researchers around a shared mission. July 17 is a day to raise awareness, inspire action, honor the VLCAD community, and help fuel research toward better treatments and a brighter future.
How Can I Be a Spark?
You can help make an impact by raising awareness, sharing your story, supporting VLCAD research, starting a fundraiser, or making a donation in honor of in honor of VLCAD Deficiency Awareness Day. Every shared post, fundraiser, conversation, and contribution helps shine a light on VLCAD deficiency while creating hope, support, and progress for affected children and families.
We want to hear from You!
Share Your Spark on July 17
On VLCAD Deficiency Awareness Day, light a sparkler or candle and share a photo or video telling us why you support VLCAD research. You can share in honor of a child, a family, a researcher, or the hope for better treatments and a cure.
Light a candle or sparkler safely.
Take a photo or short video.
Share your spark for VLCAD research.
Tag Maddie's Spark Foundation on social media.
#BetheSpark4VLCAD
DOWNLOAD OUR
SOCIAL MEDIA
TOOLKIT
Download our shareable templates,
profile frames, and social media graphics
by clicking on the link below.
Official Recognition for
2026 VLCAD Deficiency Awareness Day
We are honored to have VLCAD Deficiency Awareness Day recognized through official proclamations from:
The State of Ohio
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
The State of OhioCommonwealth of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County, PennsylvaniaFamilies Are the Reason We Fight for Research
Behind every VLCAD diagnosis is a child, a family, and a journey filled with strength, uncertainty, resilience, and hope. These stories shine a light on the reality of living with VLCAD deficiency and why continued awareness and research matter so deeply.
Every family carries a different spark. reason they continue fighting for better treatments, better answers, and a brighter future.
Maddie, age 5
Read Maddie’s Story
Ezra, age 2
Read Ezra’s Story
Isla, age 3
Read Isla’s Story