Fernando Mendoza and his family announced the April 23, 2026 the creation of Mendoza Family Funda partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to accelerate research and expand support programs for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).
The announcement came in the run-up to the 2026 NFL Draft, where Mendoza was listed as one of the top prospects.
Initial donation of $500,000 for research
As part of the launch, Mendoza committed 500 thousand dollars to the organization to fund multiple sclerosis studies at the University of Miami Health System and the Miller School of Medicine.
Furthermore, the family had already raised more than 360 thousand dollars in previous campaigns promoted in different communities in the United States.
A personal cause for the Mendoza family
The initiative was born in honor of Elsa Mendozamother of the player, who lived with multiple sclerosis. As Fernando Mendoza explained, his mother’s strength had been the main inspiration behind the solidarity project.
“This fund was for my mother and for the millions of people living with MS,” said the quarterback.
What the Mendoza Family Fund supported
The fund channeled resources into three main areas:
- medical and scientific research
- Support programs for affected families
- Community services and specialized assistance
It also allowed the Mendoza family to participate in defining funding priorities.
A movement that continued to grow
While Fernando Mendoza was preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, his brother Alberto continued his college career at Georgia Tech. Together with his brother Max and his parents, the family sought to expand the impact of this cause and attract new donors.
What is multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects communication between the brain and body. There is currently no cure and it can cause fatigue, mobility problems, cognitive alterations and visual difficulties.
It was estimated that about one million people lived with MS in the United States.
