July is FOD Awareness Month: Raising Awareness, Sharing Hope, and Building Community
- Deb Lee Gould
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Every July, the Fatty Oxidation Disorders (FOD) community comes together to raise awareness, share stories, and remind families that they are not alone.
Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders (FODs), also called Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders (FAODs), are a group of rare inherited metabolic disorders that affect how the body turns fat into energy, especially during times of fasting, illness, or increased energy needs. Early diagnosis, ongoing medical care, and family education can make a life-changing difference.
FOD Family Support Group is dedicated to building compassionate support and connection as well as awareness. Every day, families around the world are supporting one another through new diagnoses, everyday challenges, medical milestones, and moments of hope. Throughout July, we'll be celebrating our incredible community while sharing educational resources, family stories, and opportunities to connect.
Join Us Throughout July
Throughout FOD Awareness Month, members of our Private FOD Support Facebook community can look forward to:
Community conversations
Family stories
Educational resources
Awareness activities
Opportunities to connect with other families living with FODs
Whether you've just received a diagnosis or have been navigating life with an FOD for years, there is a place for you here. Special thanks to our volunteers who dedicate their time to sharing their stories and posting in the group.
Meet This Year's FOD Awareness Banner Honorees
This year's FOD Awareness Month banner features two individuals whose stories reflect the strength and resilience of our community.
Harriet Vallotton (MCAD, 41)
Harriet lives with Medium-Chain Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (MCAD) and was diagnosed in 1987, before newborn screening for MCAD became widely available. Having lived with MCAD for nearly four decades, Harriet is an advocate who shares her experiences to help raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and support others living with rare metabolic disorders.
Andrew Calise (LCHAD, 23)
Andrew's story is one of resilience and hope. Andrew Calise’s journey with Long-Chain 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (LCHAD) began before he was even born, following the tragic loss of his sister at four months old to the undiagnosed condition. Thanks to prenatal testing three months into his mother’s pregnancy, Andrew was able to be diagnosed early. Now at 23, Andrew is thriving. Last year, he graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a degree in culinary arts and nutrition. Today, he balances working part-time as a police and fire dispatcher with running his own culinary business—preparing healthy meals for clients and selling them at local farmers markets. Andrew is happy to report that he is doing fantastic and staying healthy. His story is a reminder that with early diagnosis, knowledgeable medical care, and ongoing support, many individuals with FODs can pursue their goals and build meaningful live
Awareness Saves Lives
Newborn screening has transformed the outlook for many families affected by fatty acid oxidation disorders. While not every diagnosis is made through newborn screening, early recognition and prompt treatment have significantly improved outcomes for many individuals living with these rare conditions.
Awareness also means making sure families know where to find trusted information, emotional support, and a community that understands.
Join Our Community
FOD Family Support Group has a wonderful private Facebook group, where families, adults living with FODs, caregivers, and loved ones come together to ask questions, share experiences, celebrate milestones, and support one another.
If you're looking for connection, encouragement, or simply people who understand your journey, we'd love to welcome you. Simply fill out the three questions to join.
We have volunteers who help facilitate discussion and maintain this group and we work to ensure privacy for our members and keep this a safe space and positive environment for all who participate.
→ Join our Private Official FOD Support Facebook Community
Help More Families Find Support
For more than 30 years, FOD Family Support group has created a safe place where families can find trusted information, compassionate support, and a community that understands the challenges of living with a Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorder.
As an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of donors to help us maintain educational resources, support families around the world with events and meetups, and continue building a welcoming community for those navigating life with an FOD.
If FOD Support has made a difference in your family's journey, or if you believe every family deserves access to support and connection, please consider making a financial gift.
Your donation helps provide:
Free support and educational resources for families
Community connection through our private support group
Website resources and educational content
Funds events and meetups with FOD Families and partner organizations
Future programs that strengthen and connect the FOD community
Every gift, no matter the size, helps another family know they are not alone.
Thank you for helping us continue this mission.
We are all in this together.
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