The Wylder & Oakley Foundation

Finding a Cure for ABCA3

Our twin boys, Wylder and Oakley, were both born with ABCA3. We're committed to finding a cure for our boys and every child affected by this disease.

Our story

On August 29th, at Calgary Foothills Hospital, we were blessed with beautiful twin boys: Wylder and Oakley. Born five weeks premature and undersized, they entered the world as a duo, ready to face anything together.

Wylder, named for his wild and untamed spirit, is the fighter. Oakley, with his quiet strength and steady patience, is the old soul.

Their bond was undeniable—until they were separated by a heartbreaking turn of events.

Both boys were diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, ABCA3, which affects the lungs ability to function. While Oakley's condition is currently mild, Wylder has spent over 130 days in the hospital. It's all he's ever known.

ABCA3 has no cure, but we're determined to change that.

Our goal

We need to raise $3 million to fund the first human trial of this treatment.

These funds will give Wylder and Oakley a chance to grow up together, to play, to explore the world as brothers. But this isn't just about our boys—this breakthrough could save thousands of children now and in the future.

With your help, we can make this dream a reality.

Your donations will directly support:

Safety studies to ensure the treatment is effective and safe
Toxicology reports required for approval
Manufacturing the therapy to begin human trials
Additional PR, legal, and campaign costs to keep us moving forward.

This isn't just funding research; it's creating a legacy of hope for every child diagnosed with ABCA3.

What is ABCA3?

ABCA3 is a critical protein that helps the lungs produce surfactant—a substance essential for breathing. Mutations in the ABCA3 gene disrupt this process, leading to severe respiratory distress.

Children born with this condition often don't live past their first year. Wylder and Oakley need a cure to survive—and thrive.

Our fight

Through sleepless nights and relentless searching, we found hope: a team of researchers at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, led by Dr. Bernard Thébaud and Dr. Sarah Wootton.

This incredible team is working on a groundbreaking treatment using AAV gene therapy, which has shown promise as a potential cure for ABCA3. Wylder and Oakley are now part of their program, affectionately called the AAVengers.

This treatment is our only hope, but it requires significant funding to move forward.