All proceeds raised by the Kids For Kids Project benefit the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy is a national non-for-profit organization that was founded in 1994 by a small group of concerned parents whose children have Duchenne (pronounced Du-shen) or its less severe form, Becker Muscular Dystrophy. The organization provides education, research funding and hope to all affected by these disorders. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the world's most common lethal genetic muscle disorder of children. Affecting one in 3,500 kids of all races and cultures.

Through a collaborative effort of over 1,700 parents from around country, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy works to support project-based research to expedite treatment and cure. With advice from an international panel of scientific advisors, the organization is a catalyst, providing start-up funding for high impact research.

In addition to research, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy provides outreach and support to families and communities affected by the disorder.

Both Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and The Kids for Kids Project Muscular Dystrophy are tax-exempt nonprofit organizations established in accordance with Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. All contributions are tax deductible.

 

• There are nine distinct forms of Muscular Dystrophy. All forms involve muscle dysfunction, weakness and destruction.
• Inheritance of the Muscular Dystrophy gene differs in each form, as do the age and onset of the muscles affected.
• Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the world's most common lethal genetic muscular disorder affecting children in all races and cultures. Becker is a less severe form of Duchenne.
• Duchenne is caused by a lack of fundamental structural protein, which helps repair muscle in the body called Dystrophin.
• Muscle comprises the largest groups of tissue in the body, accounting for almost half of the body's weight. There are over 600 skeletal muscles in the human body. Muscle is a critical tissue, without it, the body cannot survive.
• Duchenne is an X-gene linked recessive disorder that, with rare exception, affects only males. Mothers are often the silent carriers of the Dystrophin gene, which causes their sons to have Duchenne. Most carriers have no symptoms.
• Although Duchenne is a genetic disorder, 50%-60% of cases inherited are from carrier parents; the remaining cases occur due to spontaneous mutation - meaning it can affect anyone.
• Children are born with Duchenne. It is usually detected between the ages of two and a half to five years old. The disorder slowly steals muscle function over time.
• Children with Duchenne usually lose the ability to walk between the ages of ten and 12 years old. Calf muscles develop into bulky masses; the belly begins to protrude; the back sways and the gait becomes "lordotic" - meaning that the remaining muscles are trying to overcompensate for the loss of strength.
• Children lose movement in their arms and upper body in their early teens, followed by respiratory complications. Children with Duchenne are subject to infections, as muscles needed to cough and clear the lungs are weakened.
• Many children with Duchenne face death around the age of 20.
• There are some treatments for Duchenne that lessen the symptoms and improve the quality of life, but do not work to cure the disorder.
• To date, there is no cure for this fatal disorder, though work continues on many research fronts to find one.

For more information on Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, visit the website at: www.parentprojectmd.org.