‘Coach to Cure MD’ and Other Fundraising Events Mark Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Month

by Margarida Azevedo, MSc | September 18, 2017

For the ninth year in a row, “Coach to Cure MD” and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) will mark Duchenne Awareness Month by using college football games to raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and money to promote research into treatments and a possible cure.

The effort, a partnership between the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and PPMD, is thought to be the largest national charity event devoted exclusively to DMD. Representing more than 10,000 college football coaches and staffers, AFCA says it adopted the “Coach to Cure MD” program as a charitable effort in 2008, mainly because of the parallels between Duchenne, a disorder that damages muscle strength, and football, a game where players are near or at the peak of their physical strength.

Several other events taking place around the country will also raise funds for DMD research that might lead to a cure. On Sept. 23, two such events are planned: the

On Saturday, Sept. 23, two fundraising events are planned: the PPMD DREAM Dinner & Auction, taking place at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, Washington, and the Coach To Cure MD, set for the No Label Brewing Co. in Katy, Texas. On Sept. 24, the Holy Mackerel Brewery Event to End Duchenne will take place in Pompano Beach, Florida.

On Sept. 30, these events are scheduled: the Miles for Matthew 5K/10K, a fundraiser run in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Run For Our Sons Peace Love Run, a 5K fundraiser at Dupree Lake Park in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

“Coach to Cure MD” organizers suggest a number of ways to help raise funds, including arranging a local or school event, asking for donations at a stadium, or throwing a “watch party” during a game — at home, a restaurant or other public spot — with attendees asked to contribute to the cause. Coach to Cure MD provides an Event Checklist Packet of ideas and tips for organizing an event. For more information, contact Danielle Garrigan at [email protected].

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About the Author

Margarida Azevedo, MSc Margarida graduated with a BS in Health Sciences from the University of Lisbon and a MSc in Biotechnology from Instituto Superior Técnico (IST-UL). She worked as a molecular biologist research associate at a Cambridge UK-based biotech company that discovers and develops therapeutic, fully human monoclonal antibodies.