Most people hope to have at least 70 plus Birthdays in their lifetime which can mean a lot of presents, some you love and some that may go quickly to the charity shop or sold on Ebay.  Children with Duchenne, a life limiting disease, certainly do not live to anywhere near 70 and often it is nearer 20. 

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is 100% fatal. Most  children with it are usually in a wheelchair by the age of 12. One in 3,500 boys is born with it, and in the UK 2,500 kids have it at the moment. You can have it, no matter where you are or what your ethnic background is. A third of all cases start in the womb, with no warning before the baby is born. Girls can also get Duchenne with around 1% of Duchenne births being female. Most kids with it die in their late teens or early twenties· 

It leads to respiratory failure, heart failure, and other debilitating orthopaedic complications.   Although we know a lot about how Duchenne is caused, current treatments are pretty limited. Steroids and daily stretching are what most doctors recommend, but they have their drawbacks and don't prevent debilitating muscle contractures.  

One of the projects that we are raising funds for is research into anti fibrotic drugs to alleviate these contractures so why not get involved and make a difference.  

Decide to give up your birthday and instead donate the cost of your celebrations and ask your friends to donate to Harrison's Fund instead of giving you a present?  You can set up your fundraising page here and you won't even have to get sweaty or dirty to feel good!!  We will then send you some great tips to help make your fundraising the best it can possibly be.  Thank you xx

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