When Meghan and Jesse first received William’s Angelman syndrome diagnosis, they turned to fundraising as a way to cope with the overwhelming unknowns. In those early days, it wasn’t about the dollars raised. It was about doing something—anything—to feel a sense of control during a time when everything felt uncertain.
That sense of urgency never faded. It simply evolved.
“Today, it’s because we have a better understanding of drug development and how incredibly expensive it is,” Meghan says. “We want to do our part to contribute.”
Now in its third year, the Edbergs’ signature event, If Will CAN, We CAN, has grown into something that goes far beyond fundraising. It’s a rallying cry. A community touchstone. A reflection of what families can do when they refuse to sit still.
Redefining What Fundraising Can Be
In the first few years after diagnosis, the Edbergs focused on peer-to-peer giving. Friends and family gave generously, no event required. But over time, Meghan realized that sustaining momentum would take more than silent support. She wanted people to be part of something and to feel valued for their generosity.
That’s when the idea emerged: If Will CAN live with seizures, sleep challenges, balance issues, and no spoken words, then we CAN try something new once a year to rally around him.
So they did.
In 2023, the theme was "Eat, Drink, and Get Surly," and 190 guests packed Surly Brewing in Minneapolis, raising more than $67,000.
In 2024, it became "Bet on the Trifecta to Beat A.S." at Canterbury Park, one of the last remaining horse tracks in the country. That year, they raised over $77,000.
In 2025, it was "#KickAS in Minneapolis," hosted at Tom’s Watch Bar. More than 190 guests gathered once again, this time to play, shine, and unwind, raising $72,000.
Growing Together, One Family at a Time
Each year, the event grows in scope and reach. In 2023, one newly diagnosed family joined the effort. By 2024, they had become co-hosts. In 2025, five additional families attended, including one whose diagnosis was only a few months old.
This year, awareness expanded even further through partnerships. Local jewelry brand Larissa Loden featured the event on Instagram, reaching more than 60,000 followers. Tom’s Watch Bar promoted the event across their social media and on venue screens in the weeks leading up to it.
But for Meghan and Jesse, the real impact was something you couldn’t measure.
“As I walked around the venue, I realized I didn’t care how much money we had raised,” she said. “I already knew it was a success. We had more than 45 new faces, families connecting with each other, guests laughing and playing games, and a room full of people showing up not just for William, but for this entire community.”
Words of Encouragement to Other Families
Planning a fundraiser is not easy. It takes time, energy, and a willingness to ask others to stand beside you. But it also creates something rare: a sense of forward motion.
“As parents of children living with AS, we are in the thick of it every day, and it can be exhausting,” Meghan says. “Our family is right there with you. We try to stay focused on today, but fundraising gives us a way to glimpse into tomorrow. It allows our community to rally around us. It gives us hope.”
Because if Will CAN, then we CAN too.