Rare Diseases

The Marigold Foundation is the pioneer in Malta in raising the voice of patients with a rare disease or condition. In 2016, it founded the first ever National Alliance for Rare Diseases Support – Malta (RDM) bringing together patients, doctors, researchers, carers and pharmaceutical entities. Through this movement it was possible for Malta to raise the issue to European level during Malta’s Presidency in the Council of Europe in 2017 thus putting forward the issue on a European and International level. Currently RDM is full member of EURORDIS and full member of Rare Diseases International. Through the latter platform, RDM was chosen to form part of the ECOSOC Committee on Rare Diseases at the United Nations which in the December 2021 has successfully pushed forward the Agenda of Rare Diseases for a UN Resolution that will see that rare diseases are given the attention they deserve with the aim of reaching the sustainable development goals by 2030. RDM Malta through its Co-Founder, The Marigold Foundation, will continue to advocate worldwide and also on a National basis so that Maltese rare disease patients are given the necessary attention and services through the setting up of a National Action Plan. With regards to its members RDM and Marigold collaborate on a regular basis to provide patient members with psychological support, communal networking and access to clinical trials, access to medicinals and services, and to serve as their voice.

Our Chairperson has served as Patron of Eurordis for the last ten years and continues to engage personally on a one to one basis with patients.

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Swimming Challenge

Michelle Muscat uses her free time to enjoy her favourite hobby of swimming, training on a daily basis resulting in a personal challenge first performed in June 2015 where she swam a 6 km swim across the Maltese Channel in Force 6 wind.  In 2016, she undertook a longer, more demanding route swimming an 8-kilometre swim from the South of Malta to the Grand Harbour, yet again in Force 6 wind. In July 2017 she increased the challenge by swimming 10 km from the North of Malta to Marsamxett Harbour and for the third time facing hard weather conditions. In July 2018, brazing a Force 7 wind, Michelle did her ultimate challenge, swimming 12 kilometres along the rocky Maltese coast in what was considered as the most dangerous feat for a swimmer in such rough circumstances. In July 2019 Michelle Muscat completed her fifth swimming challenge,14km of continuous swimming in Force 5 winds.  Funds raised through these challenges have financed all these projects and campaigns for these last five years.

With Covid-19 taking over 2020, and making it difficult for open sea training to occur, Michelle Muscat took up a 10 hour coast swimming challenge, swimming a total of 24 km in 10 hrs.

Covid in 2021 and 2022 put this challenge at a total halt… 2023 is the year of new beginnings, let’s see where this will take us in the coming months and years.

Sweet Sixteen

Sweet 16 is the brainchild of The Marigold Foundation. This project which is worked out in collaboration with Agenzija Appogg is devised for youths 16 and over that reside in shelters, orphanages or in community living. Each year the program focuses on life skills including training for job opportunities, grooming, etiquette and proper verbal and non-verbal communication transforming these youths into self-confident, able and positive persons ready to lead their own independent living.

Special Olympics Malta

Since Marigold’s involvement with Special Olympics Malta, SO Malta has grown from just a hundred athletes to become the biggest NGO on the island having more than 2000 athletes all active in various sports disciplines. With Marigold’s support, all athletes have been undergoing constant training in the various sports resulting in their participation in both European and World games such as in Belgium in 2014, Los Angeles in 2015 and Abu Dhabi in 2019. Ongoing coaching and training meant that our Maltese special athletes have reached their maxim, resulting in record medals garnered at these games and making Malta one proud country and the Special Olympics Malta team garnering the Gieh ir- Republika merit from the Maltese authorities in December 2019. Through Marigold’s active advocacy and financial support, SO Malta have managed to garner the 2022 Invitational Games in Malta.

Mental Health Awareness

The Marigold Foundation works closely with the Mental Health Authorities and through fundraising events managed to restore dignity and respect for women patients at Mount Carmel Hospital by a refurbishment programme that saw the women’s section transformed into a decent place to live in.

The same was repeated at the Young People’s Unit providing children residents with a state of the art school room and a healthy environment which makes it possible for them to continue their program and be able to re-enter the big wide world. Currently The Marigold Foundation is funding a social program whereby YPU residents are benefiting from a program of events and opportunities within the real world helping them to integrate smoothly when their time to re-enter the world is due. Apart from its programs at Mount Carmel hospital, the Foundation is also proactive in supporting mental health NGOs such as the Richmond Foundation’s KIDS program providing kids with a better and more holistic environment.

Mental Health is also given attention in all other projects taken up by the Foundation ensuring that mental health matters are given priority and support.

Education

The Marigold School Program serves to encourage those students who at a tender age are already doing something positive with their time to help their communities. Visiting such schools provides mentoring on various current social issues, such as sexual education, health awareness, drug prevention, alcoholism and women empowerment amongst others. The Foundation is also pivotal in the nationwide programme of upgrading school libraries, providing books to the various schools and creating awareness on the importance of literacy.

Drug Rehabilitation

Helping CARITAS and OASI to rehabilitate drug users and provide them with a new life is an ongoing commitment at Marigold. During the year there are regular meetings and visits with a number of residents at their respective homes in an informal manner to serve as mentors and also provide them with hands on life skills. Such visits are insightful as they provide us with valuable feedback on the various ways Marigold can continue to support their quest to rehabilitate themselves. The monetary investments in recent years to renovate the spaces at both CARITAS and OASI have provided residents with modern fresh homes away from homes.

Cancer

With cancer affecting most families, The Marigold Foundation will continue with its educational campaigns to raise awareness, educate and provide tools to help patients.

The Foundation is the Leader of the Nationwide Pink October Campaign who started with joint offering support to the small Breast care NGO’s and slowly year after year evolving in a fully fledged National campaign that today addresses not just breast cancer but two other common female cancers (ovarian and cervical).

Parallel to this Marigold teamed up with International Cancer Campaigns and in 2018 extended the nationwide campaign to the Pink October Movember Malta addressing the common male testicular cancer and prostate cancer.

Follow us on Pink October Movember Facebook and Instagram page.

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Autism

Autism and people on the spectrum have been one of the causes supported actively by The Marigold Foundation in collaboration with the Autism Parents Association. Being present at their events, helping them to connect with various other families on the spectrum and providing these families with support, help and understanding was crucial to the foundation. As ambassadors of Autism Speaks, the world’s largest advocacy organization, The Marigold Foundation was and is still crucial in spreading the Autism message nationwide, raising awareness of the far-ranging condition through the light it up blue projects.

Marigold is also the link with Autism Europe providing monetary funds to the Autism Parents Association so that they are up to date with information and tools for the benefit of their families. The Foundation has also been key in opening school grounds during summer time and weekends so that families with autistic children have a safe place and enjoy themselves safely.

In collaboration with the University of Malta, the Foundation advocated for tertiary education to be accessible to persons on the spectrum. With more autistic students attending University, Marigold was central in creating an adequate environment for students on the spectrum to find an ideal environment that enhances and encourages their University experience. Projects such as the Calm Room on Campus make it easier for students on the spectrum to integrate with other students and complete their studies.