On Thursday 25th October 2007, a large group of us will be cycling 75k from the Snir Valley to the Kineret.

We are raising funds in aid of the Gavriel Meir Trust, which was established when Gavriel, a friends’ 5 year old son, was recently diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; a degenerative and as yet, incurable muscle wasting disease.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (or DMD as it is known), is the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children around the world. Approximately 1 in every 3,500 boys born suffer from DMD. Children with DMD cannot produce dystrophin, a protein necessary for muscle strength and function.  As a result, every skeletal muscle in the body deteriorates. As yet there is no cure.

For the moment, Gavriel is an active, athletic child who adores life and
doing everything that an active 5 year old enjoys doing.  While the disease has yet to show its devastation, the stark facts about DMD are hard to believe:

*      DMD has a 100% fatality rate.
*      On average DMD boys die in their late teens or early twenties.
*      Most boys with DMD are in a wheelchair between 10-12 years old.
*      DMD is associated with respiratory failure, heart failure, and debilitating orthopeadic complications.

The funds raised will go towards funding critical research projects aimed at identifying a cure (and effective treatments), for this life shattering condition. The various research projects being funded by the trust are not only for the less common strain (which Gavriel has), but also covers projects that will hopefully lead to a cure for all boys who have this condition.

We need your help, and without a cure there is no hope, so please donate generously.

With much gratitude and appreciation

Simon