An incurable disease, largely described as untreatable. And you’ve probably never heard of it.
Every boy
DuchenneFoundation for boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy deserves
www.duchennefoundation.org.au to play info@duchennefoundation.org.au Tel: 1300 70 60 89
DuchenneFoundation
ABN 33 129 339 920 for boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne muscular Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) dystrophy has a is the number one 100% fatality rate. genetic killer of boys in the world.
It occurs when there is a mistake in the No parent should outlive their child, yet this is the If a cure is found in the next five years, the boys n
gene responsible for producing dystrophin, heartbreak that Duchenne parents face once their diagnosed today could possibly walk, play and
the protein that maintains the structure son is diagnosed. enjoy a long and fulfi lling life.
of our muscle membrane. It’s time to hope It’s time for The Blue Ball
‘Genetic’ does not mean it is confi ned to certain Duchenne Foundation provides support to families The Blue Ball, with its imprint of a child’s hand,
family trees. In over a third of cases the genetic living with Duchenne, raises community awareness is the symbol of the Duchenne Foundation’s
mutation happens spontaneously, without any and vital funds to support research and quality of vision-
previous family history. life issues. One of courage, spirit and the real hope that
Through fundraising, both scientists and specialists one day all boys with Duchenne will have a
It’s time to hear in the fi eld of Duchenne research across Australia, chance to play, grow up and be able to live
DMD affects one in every 3,500 boys across can continue to search for the ‘elusive cure’ and the independent and fulfi lling long lives.
the globe. Due to progressive deterioration therapies that will prolong our children’s strength,
of muscle, loss of movement occurs eventually quality of life and mobility. The breakthrough’s could How you can help:
leading to total immobilisation. be imminent, giving us real hope for the future.
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Organise a Duchenne Foundation When a boy is diagnosed with Duchenne We’re buying time fundraiser
he will lose the ability to walk somewhere Time is the most precious commodity of boys with • Make a donation
between the ages of 7 and 13 years and is Duchenne. In the 1960s, the likelihood of a boy with • Buy Duchenne Foundation merchandise
usually dependant on a wheel chair by 12. DMD reaching the age of 25 years old was zero. By
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Support Duchenne Foundation events Arm strength is gradually lost, making simple the 1980s, 12 per cent of boys with DMD lived to 25. everyday activities we take for granted such as By the late 1990s, this climbed to 52 per cent. Fantastic Visit www.duchennefoundation.org.aucleaning teeth, turning pages of a book and progress, but we’ve not beaten the clock yet. giving a loved one a hug, impossible. Australian scientists are leading contributors to As the disease progresses to the heart and global efforts to fi nd cures for Duchenne and other
breathing muscles, the boys cannot breathe muscular dystrophies. We want to give them theunaided and their heart loses the ability to best help, so research can be carried out faster Catch!
pump effectively. and more effectively.