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 info@duchennefoundation.org.au Tel: 1300 70 60 89
DuchenneFoundation ABN 33 129 339 920 for boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
The Genetic Killer Of Boys In The World
What Is It?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy has a 100% fatality rate. It occurs when there is a mistake in the gene responsible for producing dystrophin, the protein that maintains the structure of our muscle membrane. ‘Genetic’ does not mean it is confined to certain family trees. In over a third of cases the genetic mutation happens spontaneously, without any previous family history.
How Common Is It?
DMD affects one in every 3500 boys across the globe. Due to progressive deterioration of muscle, loss of movement occurs eventually leading to total immobilisation. When a boy is diagnosed with Duchenne he will lose the ability to walk somewhere between the ages of 7 and 13 years and is usually dependent on a wheelchair by 12. Arm strength is gradually lost making simple everyday activities we take for granted such as giving a loved one a hug impossible. As the disease progresses to the heart and breathing muscles, the boys cannot breathe unaided and their hearts loses the ability to pump effectively.
Why Hope Now?
If a cure is found within five years, the boys diagnosed today could possibly walk play and enjoy long fulfilling lives. No parent should outlive their child yet this is the heartbreaking reality faced once sons are diagnosed. We’re buying time - Time being most precious commodity among those affected; back then only zero percent reached age twenty-five but now fifty-two percent do so thanks largely due Australian scientific contributions towards finding cures globally. Fantastic progress has been made however beating clocks remains our challenge ahead. It’s time hope again through initiatives like The Blue Ball which symbolizes courage spirit real hopes that someday all children living with DMD might grow up independently enjoying full life experiences.
How You Can Help:
- Organise A Fundraiser For The Foundation
- Make Donations To Support Research And Quality Of Life Issues
- Purchase Merchandise From The Organization
- Attend Events Hosted By Them Visit www.duchennefoundation.org.au