December 2021 and our world fell apart. DMD. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Rowan had just turned 2-years-old, when we received this life altering diagnosis. Our beautiful, funny, feisty, crazily curly haired boy has a life limiting condition where his muscles will fail. Cruelly and gradually his muscles, heart and breathing will struggle to function. He will be reliant on a wheelchair before he’s a teenager, later he will need full-time care and not live a long life.

DMD is a genetic condition caused by a mutation in the gene that makes dystrophin. Dystrophin is a protein that is essential for all muscles (including heart, breathing and brain) to function. DMD affects 1in 3500 boys born per year in the UK. There are approximately 2500 people in the UK with it.

We NEED HOPE and we need YOU.

Those dark days have led us as a family to be strong and full of fight! Rowan faces daily challenges with immense courage. He is a force to be reckoned with deep to his core.

Despite this awful place we find ourselves in, our friends and family support is incredible. Together we must make a difference for the Duchenne community and those who will be in a club they never asked to join.

Rowan might not have to have his current written future. Raising money for treatments and research trials including gene therapy could change the shape of this devastating illness and stop it in its tracks. By fundraising we can support the work, fighting to find a cure for Duchenne. By donating and fundraising you will be supporting Rowan and the Duchenne community to fund treatments, equipment to make life easier, and wellbeing support to cope with this devastating condition.

Duchenne UK is a charity set up by 2 incredible mums who would not say no to hope. It is dedicated to accelerating treatments and finding a cure for DMD. Duchenne UK’s support of ground-breaking research and support programmes are making strides towards improving the quality-of-life for children like Rowan. However, the journey is far from over, they need our support to continue their vital work.

Please join us in this fight! Become a Rowan’s Raiser either by fundraising yourself or donating. We will be eternally grateful to you for all and any help to change the course of this brutal disease.

Love

Linzé, Pete, Devin (best brother EVER!), Rowan and AhAh (If you know, you know, and if you don’t, ask Rowan!)