The Fries Sisters

On January 3rd, 2018, Cecilia and Lilly were diagnosed with CLN3 Batten Disease.  Batten disease is a neurodegenerative disorder.  There is no treatment, there is no cure, it is fatal.  It is usually first diagnosed with vision loss.  Eventually, they will develop seizures around age 9.  Dementia symptoms including mood and behavior changes will present.  Their muscles will weaken to the point where they will no longer be able to walk or talk and will be bedridden.  Eventually, they will need a feeding tube as they will no longer be able to feed themselves.  And then, eventually, they will die.  The lifespan for this horrible disease is late teens to early twenties.  Follow our journey at raresisters.org

Upcoming Events

Expect Miracles 5k

Sunday May 31, 2020
Westminster City Park
10455 N Sheridan Blvd, Westminster CO, 80020

Registration opens at 9:30
5k Starts at 10:30
1 mile fun run/walk follows 5k start
VANboree Carnival till 2pm

Beyond Batten Disease Foundation was founded in 2008 to eradicate juvenile Batten disease by raising awareness and funds for medical research. Beyond Batten’s strategy brings together other affected families to connect communities and resources to achieve the goal. Rare Sisters is partnering with BBDF to find a cure for juvenile Batten disease for the Fries Sisters and hundreds of other children.

The Be Project is a $6 million campaign to fund the first-ever treatment for juvenile Batten disease. Your contributions are making a difference!

Rare Sisters has a raised a total of:

$102,238

What Supporters are Saying:

Contributor Comment
Michael Fesl Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Scott Leivian Missed the 5K but there in spirit.
Robert Gormley Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Community Shares of Colorado Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Olivia Doyle In honor of Sofia Martinez, our families are so grateful for the help Rare Sisters has offered and would like to help others as well through this donation.
Community Shares of Colorado Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Peter and Amanda Ambrose Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Maura Turner What brave Girls and what a strong family. I’m glad Abby shared your story with me. Sending love and prayers to you all!
Community Shares of Colorado Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Community Shares of Colorado Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Community Shares of Colorado Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Mary Margeret Meyer Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Parvez Mahmood Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Tim Leduc Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Mobile Giving Foundation Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Ed Higuera Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Christine Branzanskas You’re all so brave. Thank you for sharing your story.
Joan Eafanti I’m contributing in honor of the Rare Sisters.  God bless and protect them.
Sarah Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Mobile Giving Foundation Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Tim Leduc Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Give Well Foundation Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Ron Galiffa Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
William Prymak Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Sarah Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Renee Loewen Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Cheryl Miller Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Meghan and Josh Wisell All of Arvada is praying for you.
Denise Gutierrez Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Ellen and David Thorp In Alabama visiting my mom, but wanted to support the gala and your family. Always praying for you all.
Vicki Capek I saw your story on channel 4. Wishing you every hope possible.
Anna Krieger Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Katherine Benoit Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Katie Wolf Perkins Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Carol Guenzi Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Jean Ference Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Carrie & Grace Wallace Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Rockie Zalensky Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Candace J Frie We are so sorry we cannot join you, but know the gala will be a great success. Love Bob and Candy.
Sarah Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Pat Arch Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Susie Battler You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. -A.A. Milne
Leah Strassner Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Cheryl Fries Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Bright Funds From Isabel Coberly in honor of Cecilia’s birthday
Greg Waters Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Sara Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Mobile Giving Foundation Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Stephanie Serafin Happy Birthday, Cecelia!!! We hope your day is wonderful. Love, your Florida cousins (Stephanie, Matt, Cameron, and MJ)
Kat Wasabi Happy Birthday Cecelia!!!
Betsy Moran Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Mike Cooke Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Sarah Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Connie Gormley Zaremsky In honor of Jeanne and John’s 60th Wedding Anniversary.
Sarah Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Christina Johnson Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Jimmy Corso Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Sarah Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Timothy Leduc We are amongst the many who are praying for your family.
Steph Cohen Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Dan Wolfe Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Sarah Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Elizabeth Roberts Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Diana Walleigh To the amazing Fries Family. Especially to the lovely and strong-willed Cecilia and Lily. Thank you for letting me be part of your treatment team.
Vanessa Thorsten For Cecilia and Lilly Fries. Wishing you all the best!
Taylor McCormick Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
St.John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Pat Arch Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Robert Frie Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Matthew Eyser Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Christine Parks Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Nicholas Jones Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Cathryn Shibata Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Expect Miracles 5K A community event in support of Rare Sisters Fund
Cathryn Fennelly I was touched by your story and your desire to raise funds to help with research. I am the mother of one of the teachers at the girls` school.
Cathryn Shibata Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Christine Parks Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Matthew Eyser Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Robert Frie Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Pat Arch Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Taylor McCormick Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Margaret Quinn Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Sarah Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Goodr Sunglasses Fundraiser Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Sarah Norris Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Peter and Amanda Ambrose Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Ball Matching Gift Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Sarah Golombek Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Daniel and Tanya Gormley Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Jennifer Stamper Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Donations Prior to Dec 31, 2018 Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Facebook Donations Donations from November, 2018
Rare Sisters Day A community event in support of Rare Sisters Fund
Daniel J Gormley Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Jeanine Koontz Supporting Rare Sisters Fund
Landon Smith In honor of Pete Ambrose & his nieces