Grand Traverse County family seeks help for infant’s rare disease treatment
Sat, July 11, 2026 at 10:35 AM
UpdatedSat, July 11, 2026 at 10:42 AM
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Marlowe was diagnosed with Pompe disease at 4 days old and now undergoes eight-hour infusion treatments every other week. (WPBN)
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — A Grand Traverse County family is asking for the community’s help as their infant begins lifelong treatment for a rare genetic disorder
A can drive kicked off Friday, July 10, to raise money for reliable transportation to and from her medical appointments in Ann Arbor
Four-month-old Marlowe was diagnosed with Pompe disease when she was just 4 days old, sending her family on an unexpected medical journey
She now travels to Ann Arbor every other week for eight-hour infusion treatments, requiring her family to put work on hold while they care for her and her siblings
The fundraiser aims to help the family secure dependable transportation for the frequent trips
Kim Hall holds her granddaughter, 4-month-old Marlowe, who was diagnosed with Pompe disease just days after birth and now travels to Ann Arbor every other week for treatment. (WPBN)
“It means everything to us. It’s really hard to put into words because she means everything to us,” Marlowe’s Grandmother Kim Hall said. “And when you have an infant or a child that requires a lot of medical appointments, it takes a community, and we have a really good community here.”
The can drive continues through Sunday, with drop-off locations on Bartlett Road and Valley Drive in Grawn
Pompe disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to break down glycogen, leading to progressive muscle weakness and requiring lifelong treatment
