CureDuchenne, a national 501(c)3 dedicated to raising funds and awareness in the fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), is kicking off a national fundraiser Pick Your Peak. Outdoor enthusiasts, philanthropists, families of boys with DMD, and anyone excited to get out and climb for a cause will climb the peak of their choice on June 19-20, 2010.
“Duchenne is a devastating disease that cuts these young boys lives short”
Twenty-two teams have formed across the country and are gearing up to climb many of the U.S.'s most well-known peaks like Mt. Shasta and Mt. Baldy in California, the Manitou Incline in the Colorado Rockies and even the Wachovia Financial Tower in Miami, Florida to raise money and awareness for DMD research.
Hundreds of people will participate in the Pick Your Peak event including Scott Niedermayer of the Anaheim Ducks, a four-time Stanley cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist. He will climb Mt. Shasta with CureDuchenne Co-founder Paul Miller.
"Duchenne is a devastating disease that cuts these young boys lives short," said Niedermayer. "We're coming out to climb in solidarity for the boys who can't."
Pick Your Peak teams have already raised $117,000 to go directly toward groundbreaking research for DMD being conducted by Dr. Jeff Chamberlain at the University of Washington's Chamberlain lab - a highly successful research program dedicated to muscular dystrophy research and treatment development. Dr. Chamberlain's research will bring gene therapy into human clinical trials, a potentially life-saving step toward finding a cure for DMD.
Today, a personal donation from Rick and Lelia Ginder, DMD parents in Gainesville, Fla. of $133,000 brings the total dollars raised to a quarter of a million - all headed to fund Chamberlain's research.
"Funding research studies is the only way to find a cure in time for our generation of boys," says Ginder who has been a long supporter of CureDuchenne.
DMD is the most common and lethal childhood genetic disorder affecting more than one in every 3,500 boys worldwide. It is currently 100 percent fatal. Boys with DMD are usually diagnosed by the age of five, in a wheelchair by age 12, and may be completely paralyzed by their late teens. Historically, most patients with DMD do not live to see adulthood. Duchenne can occur in any family, from any race and from any background.
"We are humbled by the response the Climb to CureDuchenne: Pick Your Peak challenge has received across the country and we are so excited for the teams to get started," said Debra Miller, founder of CureDuchenne. "We wanted to find a way to engage thrill seekers, adventurers and ordinary people in multiple activities that would raise live-saving funds for DMD research and building awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in a fun way."
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