Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Announces Duchenne Action Month this September

HACKENSACK, N.J., Sept. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), a nonprofit organization leading the fight to end Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), will begin a month-long awareness, fundraising, and education campaign today called Duchenne Action Month. Every day in September, PPMD will encourage families and friends of the Duchenne community to participate in a variety of activities that help raise awareness, educate patients on the latest research and care, advocate at both the national and local level, and host fundraising events.

September has traditionally been a busy month, not just for PPMD, but for the international Duchenne community. In 2014, Duchenne-specific organizations from around the world – led by United Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy – launched World Duchenne Awareness Day. Each year, on September 7, World Duchenne Awareness Day encourages families affected by Duchenne to share their story. This global day of awareness continues to grow with cities issuing proclamations, local landmark lighting up red, and thousands taking to social media to talk about Duchenne.

PPMD's founding president and CEO, Pat Furlong, explains why September was chosen for Duchenne Action Month: "With the growing global recognition of World Duchenne Awareness Day and the ongoing success of PPMD's Run For Our Sons program and Coach To Cure MD program (which turns 10 this year), not to mention Congress returning to work after summer recess, children heading back to school and the need to reach out to teachers and administrators about Duchenne, September felt like the perfect month to map out a series of actions everyone in the community can take to raise awareness and funds towards our mission to End Duchenne."

Furlong continues, "As we unveil our action calendar over the course of September, you will see that many of the actions are simple and may even be things that you are doing already. But we will also be throwing in some new ideas that can help you share your Duchenne journey with those in your community who may not yet understand what a life is like with Duchenne in it. Friends and relatives are always asking, 'How can I help?' This September, tell them to join the fight to end Duchenne by taking action!"

If you would like to learn more about Duchenne Action Month, including details on how you can participate, please visit the PPMD website.

About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne is a fatal genetic disorder that slowly robs people of their muscle strength. Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is the largest most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy—our mission is to end Duchenne.

We invest deeply in treatments for this generation of people affected by Duchenne and in research that will benefit future generations. We advocate in Washington, DC, and have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding. We demand optimal care, and we strengthen, unite and educate the global Duchenne community.

Everything we do—and everything we have done since our founding in 1994—helps people with Duchenne live longer, stronger lives. We will not rest until every person has a treatment to end Duchenne. Go to www.ParentProjectMD.org for more information or to learn how you can support our efforts and help families affected by Duchenne. Follow PPMD on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. 

SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Related Links

http://www.parentprojectmd.org