At Ben’s Friends, No One Faces a Rare Disease Alone
At Ben’s Friends, we believe every patient with a rare disease and their caregiver deserves a safe, supportive community where they are seen, heard, and understood.
Thanks to the generosity of people like you, our communities provide a lifeline to thousands of members. This year, you helped us grow stronger: we welcomed new leaders and interns, joined the National Organization of Rare Disorders, and partnered with BioPlus Care to reach even more patients around the world.
As we approach the end of 2025, we’re inviting you to stand with us again.
Our goal is to raise $40,000 and welcome twenty new Community Champions by December 31. These funds will keep more than forty rare disease communities open, help us launch new communities for underserved conditions, and ensure patients and caregivers never feel alone.
Join Ben’s Friends Community Champions
Community Champions are monthly donors who make sure help is there every day. When you start a monthly gift in any amount, an additional $200 is automatically added to our campaign by a group of generous donors. Your steady support, plus this bonus match, helps us keep our communities thriving and gives us the stability to plan for the future.
As a Community Champion, you’ll receive quarterly “Inside the Communities” updates, and we will recognise our founding Community Champions (with your consent) on a special page. More benefits to come, stay tuned.
Make sure to check “Monthly” on the donation form to become a Community Champion!
Make a Single Gift
If monthly giving isn’t right for you, a single gift, whatever the amount, still makes a powerful difference for rare disease families. Every donation is matched dollar-for-dollar while funds last, so your generosity goes even further. You are helping keep communities open, launch new ones, and provide vital information and emotional support to patients and caregivers.
Real Stories of Strength and Connection
See the Impact Through Their Eyes
Every day, someone facing a rare disease finds the moment they no longer feel alone. The stories shared by our members are honest, brave, and full of the kind of hope that only community can create.
If you want to remember why this mission matters, or simply need a reminder of the strength we create together, we invite you to spend a few minutes with these powerful voices.
Read stories from our members and feel the impact of connection. >>
How Your Gift Makes a Difference
Your donation today not only sustains our current communities but also lays the groundwork for growth next year. With your help, we can:
- Expand our team: Hiring a part-time executive director and a full-time project manager will help us support volunteers, improve operations, and serve more patients and caregivers.
- Modernise our platform: Upgrade and redesign our community software to make our forums easier to use and more accessible to people around the world.
- Launch new communities: Funding new communities for specific conditions will bring support to patients who currently have nowhere else to turn.
- Increase awareness: Investing in social media promotion and outreach will help more people discover Ben’s Friends and will allow us to partner with other nonprofits to reach underserved patients.
- Train volunteers: Providing training and resources for volunteer moderators ensures our communities remain safe, welcoming and responsive.
Why We Started
In 2006, Ben Munoz experienced a life-threatening hemorrhagic stroke caused by a rare condition at just 29 years old. During his recovery, he discovered the transformative power of connecting with others like him. Along with cofounder Scott Orn, Ben started Ben’s Friends to ensure no one has to navigate their journey alone.
Share and Inspire
There are many ways to support this campaign beyond donating. Share your story of how Ben’s Friends has helped you or someone you love, post about our campaign on social media, or forward this page to a friend who would appreciate our mission.
Your voice can inspire others to give and ensure no one faces a rare disease alone.
Thank you for being part of Ben’s Friends. Together, we will continue building a network of hope and healing in 2026 and beyond.
Transparent, Impactful Spending
At Ben’s Friends, every dollar is spent thoughtfully to serve our members. As a volunteer-led organization with a track record of big impact on a lean budget, your support directly impacts patients’ lives.
IRS EIN: 46-3210142.
Mailing address: Ben’s Friends; 512 West MLK #350; Austin TX 78701