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A Legacy of Giving

Mitchell Thorp Foundation Awarded 10News Leadership Award
Published

Mitchell Thorp Foundation

Mitchell Thorp Foundation supports families during a time of crisis

Posted on May 8, 2019

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the Mitchell Thorp Foundation was recently honored with the 10News Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations dedicated to improving lives in San Diego. Channel 10News anchor Steve Atkinson presented the award to co-founders Beth and Brad Thorp at the home of Blake and Shelly Matthews, whose three-year-old daughter, Charlie, was diagnosed with brain cancer last October, just six days after the birth of their second child. The Mitchell Thorp Foundation came to the Matthews family’s aid, helping them with medical costs as Charlie underwent chemotherapy and stem cell transplant procedures. Shelly had to leave her job to stay by her daughter’s side during medical treatments. “Having the assistance from the foundation helped keep our heads above water when we were drowning in medical bills and debt,” says Shelly.

Every year, more than 2,000 children in San Diego County are diagnosed with serious, life-threatening conditions. The Mitchell Thorp Foundation has made it its mission to support families by providing financial and emotional resources. Each child and family MTF provides assistance to averages $1,500-$2,500 a month. Over the last decade, the foundation has given back more than $1 million, which has made an impact on 880 children and their families. MTF helps through its extensive programs: Medical & Home Assistance; Healing & Rehabilitation; Wheelchair Conversion Vans, and its Youth Leadership Council Program. The foundation pays the vendors directly, ensuring that the dollars are going as intended to support each child.

The Thorps, unfortunately, know firsthand what it means to have received tremendous community support. Their son Mitchell was diagnosed with a critical illness at age 13. Mitchell courageously fought for five years, but ultimately lost his battle with an undiagnosed illness. Nearly bankrupt with all the medical bills during that time, the Thorps received incredible community support via a walkathon, which helped them pay off their more than $100,000 medical bill. “This truly changed us to see good-hearted people wanting to help us, some we never even knew,” says Beth. “We were never the same, forever changed, humbled and grateful for such generosity. We felt compelled to pay it forward.” Today, Mitchell’s spirit lives on through the foundation as the Thorps support the families who are clinging to hope and survival.

On July 21, the Pillars of Hope Grand Slam Party, benefiting the Mitchell Thorp Foundation, returns to the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa for its fifth year in partnership with World TeamTennis and the San Diego Aviators. The event will include food stations with wine pairings, a cash bar, live music, silent and live auctions, and more. Tickets also include VIP seats to watch the San Diego Aviators professional tennis match, plus DJ music, fun games, and autographs from players. 760.603.8853, mitchellthorp.org   Mia Park

Mitchell Thorp Foundation Awarded 10News Leadership Award
Channel 10News anchor Steve Atkinson, Brad and Beth Thorp, and the Matthews family

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