PPMD: Leading the Fight to End Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Every year, 20,000 new cases of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy are diagnosed in infants and children. Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood and typically affects males, though it can occur in all races, genders, and cultures. It can be passed from parent to child but over a third of cases happen spontaneously, meaning there is no rhyme or reason as to why one person will contract it and another will not. There are many medical treatments that will help slow it down, but there is not yet a cure. That's where PPMD comes in.

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy is a non-profit organization, headquartered in Middletown, whose mission is to "improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy through research, advocacy, education, and compassion." The group has a number of objectives including identifying promising research, making state-of-the-art information about treatment options available to everyone, creating a supportive community for people affected by Duchenne, and encouraging policymakers to afford the same priority to Duchenne as they do other disorders.

PPMD focuses on research, advocacy, education, and compassion to help meet their goals and objectives. They also sponsor and take part in a number of campaigns and events that promote family empowerment and community awareness. Some of these events include a race called "Run For Our Sons," a monthly donation campaign called S.T.I.R, several annual national and regional conferences, and supporting grassroots efforts to raise money and awareness.

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy's corporate office is located at 1012 North University Boulevard in Middletown. To get more information or find out how you can help, call 513-424-0696 or visit their website at www.parentprojectmd.org