FOUNDERS

Alex Powell was diagnosed with a Desmoid tumor in her right shoulder in September 2015. She has had eight surgeries and 24 months of chemotherapy treatments to reduce the size of the mass and regain mobility of her shoulder. As a patient of an orphan disease Alex wanted to help others who struggled with these debilitating illnesses. This is when she thought of the idea of a non-profit. With the help of her mom, Jamie Powell, and her aunt, Jody Mittiga, they started The Rare Disease Family Foundation in July of 2018 with the hopes of helping the families of children with  these conditions.

Alex, her mom and dad, two brothers, and dog Rusty, live in Cincinnati, Ohio. She currently plays Division 1 soccer for the University of Dayton, despite her Desmoid tumor having dramatically impacted her ability to play. Although she has not had much of an impact on the field, Alex loves her friends, the school, and the team atmosphere. As a Pre-Med major, after college Alex plans to get her Masters in Nursing and work as a Nurse Practitioner.

Jamie Powell is a Certified Financial Planner and co-owner of Capital Advisory Services, LLC which opened in 1988. She volunteers as a festival booth chairperson for the annual St. John Newman Church Fall Festival and has been the financial advisor for Alpha Omicron Pi University of Miami Chapter for 25 years.  She loves snow skiing, personal fitness, home renovation and supporting her children’s sport careers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jody Mittiga DNM ANP is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Advanced Practice Adult Nurse Practitioner, trained in naturopathic health optimizing strategies, palliative care, and stress management. Dr. Mittiga is an engaging, dynamic and experienced facilitator and trainer on issues of palliative care, stress management, post-traumatic stress disorder, and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT).  She lives in Denver, CO, loves photography and hiking in the mountains and is a longtime volunteer for Habitat for Humanity.

Sometimes the events of our lives can only be understood in hindsight. Alex is my niece. Despite my years as an oncology nurse, I’m only now really beginning to understand all that she and my sister and brother-in-law went through during her years of surgeries and treatments. When she told me about her plan for this volunteer organization I recognized she knew exactly what these families needed. Small, simple acts of kindness to brighten up their days on the journey. Join me on her quest, our quest, to pay it forward!

 Jody Mittiga