S U P P O R T   L I V E  M U S I C

PORTUGAL THE MAN

MAY 13th, 2024 | POPUP AT SECRET LOCATION

Over the past decade, Portugal The Man has established themselves as one of rock’s most prized possessions and a live phenomenon, with over 1,600 shows under their belts and a storied reputation as festival favorites.

Originally heralding from Alaska, the Portland-based band – comprised of John Gourley, Zach Carothers, Kyle O’Quin, Eric Howk, Jason Sechrist and Zoe Manville – soared to new heights in 2017 with the release of their RIAA certified-gold album, Woodstock. The album was marked by the astounding success of their infectious single, “Feel It Still,” which earned the group a plethora of new accolades – including a GRAMMY award for “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance,” a 5x RIAA platinum certified single certification, a mind-blowing 20-week residency at #1 on alternative radio, and an inescapable presence on the Top 40 airwaves.

“OUR DAUGHTER, FRANCES, HAS A ONE-IN-A-BILLION DIAGNOSIS, AND WE’RE TRYING TO SAVE HER LIFE.” – JOHN & ZOE

Frances is almost 12 years old. We first started to notice something wrong when she was 3. She was diagnosed with speech and other developmental delays along with ADHD.

What started as seemingly subtle delays and inattention eventually turned into tremor, drop seizures, and myoclonic jerking. Recent evaluations show she is half her age developmentally, and via genetic testing we recently received a definitive diagnosis.

Frances has an extremely rare genetic mutation of DHDDS. She is 1 of 6 known cases in the world. While there was no hope for a cure a decade ago, medical science is now in the experimental phases of developing treatments for rare diseases.

Unfortunately, because this is so rare, it receives very little research funding. These types of diagnoses leave families isolated and overwhelmed with the gargantuan task of raising the funds that go to improving and hopefully saving the lives of the people they love. There is no insurance company to go through. There are no medications that exist.

Due to the lack of data and people diagnosed with it, our only hope that has emerged so far is personalized medicine. We are yet to have confirmation that Frances is a viable candidate. Every day that goes by is a ticking clock. For the few people/kids diagnosed with DHDDS, desperately chasing researchers and scientists is a full time job. These treatments can take time to develop which can be a terrifying thought. They can also cost up to 5 million dollars.

Frances has changed our lives with her compassion and strength. We want to continue to see her laughing, singing, dancing, telling stories and jokes, giving hugs, and being her magical social self. Help us alleviate her physical and mental challenges that cause her so much frustration, anguish and pain. She is approaching adolescence which for some with rare neurological disorders can be the beginning of decline.

So far she already experiences seizures, hypotonia, ataxia, scoliosis, tremor, migraines, anxiety, frequent nausea and vomiting, photosensitivity, joint pain and muscle weakness. All a direct result of this disease. We live in fear daily that the worst is yet to come.

We’re accepting donations from those able to help fund cures/treatment, different therapy avenues, and we hope to begin to build a DHDDS community. Any money raised beyond Frances' treatment goes towards other research/families affected by this disease.

Thank you for the love and support.

Zoe, John & Frances