Bella’s family has honored her with gifts totaling $255,000, establishing a memorial research grant in her name.
Bella Welch had a way of making people feel seen. She was funny, fearless, and deeply caring, and she lived with a seriousness about joy that stayed with everyone who knew her. Bella passed away on December 30, 2025, at the age of 30, from complications of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (VEDS).
Bella was born with a rare facial cleft and had undergone 23 facial surgeries by the time she turned 18. That same year, a carotid artery dissection led to her VEDS diagnosis. She went on to become a fierce advocate for herself, spoke openly about disability and chronic illness, and wanted people who felt “othered” to have a voice. Her motto: “You have to risk it for the biscuit.”
“She showed up in the world as an example of what she hoped for, even when faced with the opposite by strangers.” — Maia, Bella’s sister
A Memorial Grant in Her Name
Following Bella’s passing, her family chose to honor her through gifts to the VEDS Movement totaling $255,000, from her aunt and uncle, Kate and Peter Mangan, and her father, Peter Welch. The gifts established The Isabella Noelani Parson Welch Memorial Grant for VEDS Research. “Our hope is that VEDS research will help other people with VEDS,” Kate said.
The gift will fund two research grants of $125,000 each. Each is a two-year award ($62,500 per year) supporting innovative basic, translational, or clinical research focused specifically on VEDS.
Bella, remembered by her family for finding joy in nature, music, and time with the people she loved.
Awards are based on proposal evaluation by the Marfan Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board and the approval of its Board of Directors.
Learn More & Apply
Full details, guidelines, and the application are on the Marfan Foundation’s website.
With deep gratitude to Bella’s family for sharing her story and for honoring her in this way.
