Our Purpose
RVCL is an ultra-rare disease that is characterized by the deterioration of small blood vessels. The condition is often misdiagnosed because symptoms vary from patient to patient and resemble other diseases. RVCL causes vascular dementia due to a single-gene mutation, and vascular dementia is included among Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias.
The Clayco Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing education and support for patients, researchers, and doctors.
What is RVCL?
RVCL is a rare genetic condition that causes deterioration of small blood vessels
Early symptoms typically include vision loss and mild strokes to the brain
Symptoms typically appear in patients between the ages of 30 and 50
The condition can be identified by testing for a mutation in the TREX1 gene
Often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, brain cancer, brain tumors, diabetes, or undiagnosed
There is meaningful research underway to find treatments or a cure for RVCL
A phase II clinical trial is currently underway using a repurposed drug approved by the FDA
Identifying more patients with RVCL is essential to find a treatment or cure
How can you help?
Legitimate scientific research takes funding for reagents, supplies, equipment, etc. If you designate your donation for “RVCL,” no matter the amount, the entirety will be utilized to further the efforts expressed herein. At The Clayco Foundation, our goal is simple…to improve the world through integrity, innovation, intelligence, and intentional effort. We would love for you to join us!
About our Foundation
The Clayco Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing education and support for patients, researchers, and doctors. Retinal Vasculopathy with Cerebral Leukoencephalopathy (RVCL) is a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive damage to the brain, eye, kidney, and liver. There is currently no cure for RVCL, something The Clayco Foundation aims to change.
Due to the extremely rare occurrence of the disease, patients have a difficult time finding doctors that can quickly or accurately diagnose RVCL. Due to the overlapping symptoms with more common diseases, patients can often be misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, diabetes, SLE, vasculitis, and brain tumors. Nonetheless, if these RVCL patients can be diagnosed earlier, research efforts can be furthered, and these patients need not go through unnecessary treatments and procedures. Helping patients, doctors, and researchers dealing with RVCL is a primary focus of The Clayco Foundation.
