Health Condition Support
A rare disease diagnosis can be an overwhelming journey, filled with uncertainty, medical appointments and financial strain. For many families, the added challenge of accessing proper nutrition is an even more overwhelming barrier that can affect health outcomes. That’s why organizations like Serenely Guided Foundation, founded by Sarah Woods after her own three-year battle to find a diagnosis, are using quality nutrition to make a difference.
Despite its name, the likelihood of knowing someone with a rare disease is quite high. According to the National Institutes of Health, 1 in 10 Americans have a rare disease. Sarah’s experience navigating a rare disease opened her eyes to the unseen struggles many families face. “Getting diagnosed — some people never get a diagnosis,” she shared. “During those three years, I saw firsthand how families struggle with resources, nutritious meals and basic needs while spending so much time at doctor’s appointments.”
Understanding these challenges led Sarah to create Serenely Guided Foundation. Founded in 2023, it is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of patients, families and caregivers with a focus on making resources easily accessible. “I wanted to do things a little differently, helping families find what they need without making it so difficult,” she explained. Among the most pressing concerns? Nutritious meals. Woods adds, “When you’re not feeling well or constantly in medical appointments, you’re often wondering where is the meal coming from? Is it healthy?”
New initiative and Mom’s Meals® donation help bridge the nutrition gap
Sarah’s introduction to Mom’s Meals came through her mother’s health struggles. “My mom was in the hospital for an extensive stay and needed lower-sodium meals for recovery. She loved the taste and convenience of the meals.” The meals Sarah’s mother received were part of her mother’s health plan post-discharge program. That’s when the idea sparked to use Mom’s Meals medically tailored, home-delivered meals to help bridge the nutrition gap for those in her foundation. She discovered benefit offerings and qualification for home-delivered meals can vary by insurance plan. Woods shared, “That’s when I knew we needed to step in and raise funds for meal assistance.”
Serenely Guided Foundation is working on an initiative to provide meal gift cards to families in need. “It’s all about convenience and nutrition,” Woods emphasized. “Many families experiencing food and nutrition insecurity don’t talk about it, but I know what it’s like to wonder how you’ll put a healthy meal on the table.” Mom’s Meals donated $500 to help address nutrition insecurity, and aid in recovery with high-quality nutrition that’s delivered direct to homes and ready to heat and eat in minutes. Patients can visit the Serenely Guided Foundation website to learn more about receiving meal gift cards.
Helping make sure families don’t have to go it alone
Beyond nutrition, Serenely Guided Foundation is working to create as many like-minded brand partnerships as possible to aid the rare disease journey with ease and included in this is an upcoming initiative focused on clinical trials. In addition, the foundation works with youth by participating in read-aloud story time sessions in libraries and schools with books that emphasize health, wellness, inclusion, and empathy as well as hosting Rare Disease Awareness Workshops with students in grades 6-12 that focuses on the basics of rare disease, genetic testing, clinical trials and tips for empowering their provider appointments so that they can be the leader in their own health and wellness journey. “The future of health care is in the hands of our children and isn’t that fantastic for them to hear and envision so they can be part of a brighter and innovative tomorrow,” notes Woods.
Sarah’s rare disease, as well as her son’s, who were both diagnosed with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia within one year of each other exemplifies how lived experiences can inspire impactful change. “No one will know your rare disease journey better than you,” she states. “Our goal is to make sure families don’t have to do this alone.”
Through initiatives like meal support, events, and brand partnerships in the areas of health, wellness, clinical trials, and genetic testing, the Serenely Guided Foundation is bringing tangible relief to those navigating rare diseases, proving that small acts of care — like a nutritious meal — can make a world of difference.
Mom’s Meals provides support with food as medicine solutions
Mom’s Meals is the leading provider of comprehensive food as medicine solutions with published improved health outcomes that drive lasting change. This includes fully prepared, refrigerated, medically tailored home-delivered meals delivered to any address nationwide, oral nutrition supplements, produce and pantry boxes, nutritional education, nutritional counseling, other forms of nutrition support and personalized engagement. These solutions are provided through Medicaid or Medicare Advantage health plan benefits or for direct purchase. At Mom’s Meals, our mission is to improve life through better nutrition at home through our long-term care, condition management, post-discharge and nutrition insecurity programs.
Eating better for a health condition is easier and convenient with Mom’s Meals. We offer nine condition-specific menus including diabetes, heart- and kidney-friendly options, designed by our registered dietitians and professional chefs. A pureed menu is also available and is useful when an individual has a medical condition or a medical treatment that leads to dysphagia or experiences temporary difficulties in swallowing. All meals are crafted in USDA- and FDA- inspected facilities, providing the highest level of compliance with federal regulations governing food production.
Delivered direct to homes nationwide, our delicious meals help individuals manage their unique nutritional requirements.
Find out more about our corporate social responsibility efforts and programs to reduce nutrition insecurity.
