Marlins for Mason is a 501(c)(3) non-profit marlin release tournament benefiting the Dravet Syndrome Foundation. Marlins for Mason was started in 2023 in honor of Mason Prather. Mighty Mason Prather is a beloved 7-year-old member of the Ocean City fishing community who lives with Dravet Syndrome, a rare, catastrophic, and lifelong form of epilepsy that significantly affects all aspects of life. Mason suffers from frequent severe and prolonged seizures, developmental delays, and has feeding and mobility issues.

During his brief life, he has had hundreds of seizures, innumerable ER visits, and frequent hospitalizations. The treatments are both limited and ineffective, and nearly a quarter of children with Dravet Syndrome die before adulthood. Currently, there is no cure for this life-shattering condition.

Because Dravet Syndrome is rare, very little funds are spent on research. The Dravet syndrome foundation is dedicated to finding better treatment options and someday, a cure. We launched Marlins for Mason to help find a cure and raise awareness in honor of Mason and all those who suffer from this calamitous condition.

In less than two years Marlins for Mason had donated over $818,000 to Dravet Syndrome research, funding two large research projects. Marlins for Mason is the #1 contributor to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation for Dravet research. While we are proud to be among the top, this also highlights how underfunded Dravet syndrome research is and how important the work Marlins for Mason is doing is. 

 The Marlins for Mason Challenger Cup has been added to Marlins for Mason as a fun competition and fundraising effort to amplify our fundraising efforts, boost support, and promote more awareness for Dravet Syndrome. This fundraising challenge is open to anyone who wants to contribute to this important cause. Marlins for Mason is already becoming a leading force in the Dravet Syndrome world, but if we want to keep growing and increasing our impact we need your help. Your participation in the Marlins for Mason Challenger Cup will help us make a bigger impact as we continue to work towards Catching a Cure for Dravet.  

 Team Registration:

• If you're competing in the Marlins for Mason Tournament and joining the Challenger Cup, use the same team name for both.
• Money raised in the Marlins for Mason Challenger Cup does NOT go towards your $500 entry fee.
• Each team must have a Team Captain who registers the team, and then additional team members can then join under that team name. There is no max number of team members for this challenge, get your friends and family onboard to help! You do not need to have a team of people to join this event, this can also be an individual fundraising effort.

Donations:

• Don't want to start a team but would like to support Marlins for Mason? Donate below.
• Checks should be made payable to Marlins for Mason and must include the team name to ensure they count toward the correct total.
• Checks should be mailed to: 10324 Plantation Lane, Berlin, Maryland 21811

Ways to share and to raise funds:

• Share on social media.
• Send emails or mass texts with your fundraising page asking for others to join your team or donate to your team. 
• Ask friends, family, or coworkers to share your fundraising page, join your team or donate to your page.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns regarding the Marlins for Mason Challenger Cup.