I am an academic linguist. The likes of me rarely consider leaving the cosiness of their armchairs, let alone extreme physical activity. Yet this February, I plan on jumping off a plane to help raise awareness and donations for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne is the most devastating and lethal muscle disease in children. It mostly affects boys, and most of those who have it do not survive beyond their mid-twenties. An estimated 300,000 people worldwide are diagnosed with Duchenne. Presently, there is no cure.

However, there IS good news! Scientists were able to uncover the genetic basis of the disease - we now KNOW what causes Duchenne, and how to stop it! Recently emerged gene-based therapies, RNA-based technology, and pharmacological approaches have shown promising results in treating dystropic muscle.

Now, more than ever, is the time to help - by donating money, no matter how little, we can help buy vital research time for scientists. I believe that if we all chip in, we might very realistically be saving the lives of the current generation of Duchenne children! These kids have had the unfortune of having their genes slam an ultimatum in their faces, yet by the joy of life they display daily, and the heroic refusal to stop fighting, they show that more than by genes we are shaped by our CHOICES.

Every small donation helps and, perhaps, an amount that might deprive you of a coffee or tea today tomorrow might help buy something far more valuable to a child diagnosed with Duchenne.

If you want to know more, please see these pages:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duchenne_muscular_dystrophy

http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/

Otherwise, click here:

http://vukovicnikola.info/duchenne/punch.gif

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