Article Courtesy:
CoachtoCureMD.org
WACO, Texas - For the
fifth year in a row, college football coaches nationwide will join together in
support of the Coach To Cure MD program, which will be held during games
of Saturday, September 29, 2012.
The rapidly growing annual effort has raised more than a million dollars to
battle Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
On September 29th, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)
members will wear a Coach To Cure MD logo patch on the sidelines and college
football fans will be asked to donate to research projects supported by Parent
Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest nonprofit organization in the
U.S. focused entirely on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Football fans can donate to Duchenne
muscular dystrophy research by either going online to www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting
the word CURE to 90999 (a $5 donation will automatically be added
to your next phone bill).
Last year, more than 10,000
college coaches at 505 different institutions participated in Coach To Cure MD
events. Both those figures are well higher than in any of the program's first
three years (2008-10). The four-year fundraising total is just over $1 million.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the
most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood and primarily
affects boys across all races and cultures. Boys and young men with Duchenne
muscular dystrophy develop progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes loss
of mobility, wheelchair dependency and a decline in respiratory and cardiac
function. Currently, there is no cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and
limited therapeutic options exist.
"The AFCA is proud of the fact
that Coach To Cure MD has surpassed one million dollars in
donations," said Grant Teaff, executive director of the AFCA and legendary
former coach at Baylor University. "Our coaches have only grown more
enthusiastic for this cause in each of the last four years. We're confident
this season will once again set a record for participation on the field in
September."
"The AFCA now enters its
fifth year of partnering with the Coach To Cure MD program and it has been
rewarding to see first-hand the growth of this worthy cause," said Harvard
head coach Tim Murphy, who is the current president of the AFCA. "I don't know
many individuals and families left unscathed by difficulties in life and
approximately 20,000 babies are born each year with this terrible disease,
Duchenne. We happily partner in the effort to fund research and bring awareness
and in doing so, celebrate the relationships forged with these brave young men."
In addition to the coaches'
efforts, families affected with Duchenne muscular dystrophy will also gather
for fund-raising tailgate parties on campuses around the country to encourage
more fans to get involved.
"Coach To Cure MD has grown from the seed of an idea of an
uncle determined to raise money for his nephew with Duchenne muscular
dystrophy, into a national awareness campaign that has earned $1 million in its
four years," said Pat Furlong, founding president and CEO of
PPMD. "We are thrilled to partner with the AFCA once again. This year
marks the five year anniversary of a partnership with coaches across the country,
working together with our community to end Duchenne. We couldn't ask for better
teammates!"
About the AFCA
The American Football Coaches
Association was founded in 1922 and is considered the primary professional
association for football coaches at all levels of competition. The
11,000-member organization includes more than 90 percent of head coaches at the
700-plus schools that sponsor football at the college level. Members include
coaches from Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan and Mexico.
About PPMD
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy
(PPMD) is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 by parents of
children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. The organization's
mission is to end Duchenne. We accelerate research, raise our voices in
Washington, demand optimal care for all young men and educate the global
community. PPMD is headquartered in Middletown, Ohio with offices in Fort Lee,
New Jersey. For more information, visit www.parentprojectmd.org.