Mission and Inspiration

Our mission

RareiTees for a Cure is a clothing brand with a unique mission to bring awareness to rare diseases, specifically Pitt Hopkins Syndrome. Our inspiration is derived from the founder's daughter, Alexandra, one of 2000+ in the world living with Pitt Hopkins Syndrome. Your purchase helps fund a cure for this rare disease and brings hope to so many.

Our products are inspired by the people and world around us. Beautiful, high quality goods that are designed with you in mind.

100% of your purchase supports rare disease research.

All proceeds benefit the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation.

Our inspiration

alexandra smiling My husband, Matt, and I are the proud parents of our incredible daughter, Alexandra. When she was 15 months old, she was diagnosed with Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that changed the course of our lives in ways we never could have imagined.

While the journey has come with challenges, Alexandra has also been our greatest teacher. Her joy, resilience, and unconditional love inspire us every day. She has shown us the power of celebrating every milestone, finding strength in community, and embracing life's unexpected path.

Although there is currently no cure for Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, we remain hopeful. Through research, advocacy, and the unwavering support of the rare disease community, we are working toward a brighter future—not only for Alexandra, but for every family affected by Pitt Hopkins Syndrome.

About the founder

Nicole Anderson, the mother of Alexandra and the founder of RareiTees for a Cure, designed the very first shirt when her daughter's website, Alexandra's Pitt Crew, went live informing her community of her recent diagnosis of Pitt Hopkins Syndrome. What began as one shirt, has now evolved into something much more meaningful and purposeful.

Since 2007, Anderson has built a career at Arizona State University, gaining extensive experience in strategic communications, media relations, marketing, nonprofit leadership, event planning, and donor engagement. She currently serves as Executive Director of Branding and Communications for the Thunderbird School of Global Management. Previously, she was Director of Communications for the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, and before that, Manager of Marketing, Communications, and Stakeholder Relations for the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. Earlier roles include Director of Alumni Relations for the W. P. Carey School of Business and communications and event manager for the ASU Alumni Association.

Prior to joining ASU, Anderson served as Communications Coordinator for the Health Industry Business Communications Council and supported strategic communications for Honeywell Defense & Space Electronic Systems in Glendale, AZ.

A fifth-generation Arizonan and devoted Sun Devil, Anderson has held numerous leadership and civic roles, including president of the Sun Devil Club’s Young Professionals Group and vice president of the ASU Young Alumni Chapter. She is an alumna of Valley Leadership Class 36 and has been involved with Take The Lead Women, Emerging Leaders of Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network.

Anderson’s advocacy work is deeply personal. When her daughter, Alexandra, was diagnosed at 15 months old with Pitt Hopkins Syndrome—an ultra-rare neurodevelopmental disorder—she became a leading advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities and rare diseases. She currently serves as Chair of the City of Phoenix Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues and as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation.

In January 2026, Anderson was appointed by the Governor of Arizona to serve as a caregiver representative on the Arizona Rare Disease Advisory Council. The Council was established through HB 2380—legislation Anderson helped advance—to advise the Arizona Department of Health Services on policies, education, and outreach related to the needs of individuals living with rare diseases across the state.