Hadley Jo Foundation held annual BBQ fundraiser

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Community members came together Friday to support the Hadley Jo Foundation and its mission to raise awareness and funding for research into an extremely rare disease.

12-year-old Hadley Jo Brindley lives with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type 6B, a rare genetic condition with only about 20 known cases worldwide.

With so few diagnosed cases, organizers say research and financial resources can be difficult to find. The Hadley Jo Foundation works to help close that gap by raising money and awareness through community events.

On Friday, Cotton BBQ partnered with the foundation for its annual barbecue fundraiser outside the Bowling Green Municipal Utilities building.

Barbecue plates were sold for $10, with proceeds benefiting the foundation and its efforts to support research.

Voletta Havener, a friend of the Brindley family, said the continued support from the Bowling Green community means a great deal to Hadley Jo and her family.

“All of the community support and family support means a whole lot to them because that’s where we’re at today…helping this foundation donate money to research to help find a cure for Hadley Jo and others dealing with mitochondrial disease issues,” Havener said.

Organizers say fundraisers like Friday’s event not only provide financial support for research but also help more people learn about rare diseases and the challenges families can face when few cases exist worldwide.

Those who were unable to attend Friday’s fundraiser can still support the organization by donating through the Hadley Jo Foundation’s website.