Preparing to begin a new year, I always become a little nostalgic. I think about the year ahead of me and about the many years that have passed. This year, I can’t help but think back to twenty years ago, December 18, 2001. The day the MD-CARE Act was signed was truly one of the proudest moments of my life.

Our community was still relatively new to advocacy at that time, but we understood the crucial importance of leveraging federal resources to advance Duchenne and Becker care and research. We understood deeply that our actions could change the course of history for our community. In fact, it did exactly that.

The landmark Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education Act (MD-CARE Act) would unleash a multi-faceted federal public health and medical research attack on Duchenne and other forms of muscular dystrophy.

One of the greatest gifts of the MD-CARE Act and its follow-on laws was the establishment of the Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers. For twenty years, these specialized centers throughout the United States have led the field not only in research, but also in the training and development of researchers leading the fight to end Duchenne. The research conducted at these centers has led to the potential therapies we see in clinics today and those approved to date.

And that is why I ask you to join the Power of Us and make your gift to create innovation. Our goal is to raise $400,000 to support PPMD’s supplemental funding to the Wellstone centers.

This month, PPMD will provide funding to a Wellstone center collaborating across three institutions to continue their groundbreaking research and create innovation by training the best and the brightest for a career in the field of Duchenne research. The goal of the Wellstone centers is to foster the translation of new scientific findings and technological developments into novel treatments for Duchenne and Becker.

With a gift to support PPMD’s commitment to expand and enhance the power of Wellstone centers, you are making a direct investment in the future of Duchenne and Becker research.

I never set out to be an advocate, but like you, I became an advocate the day my sons were diagnosed. Along the way, I found like-minded family advocates and together we discovered the Power within Us to make a difference.

Thank you for joining me in creating innovation. Your commitment to help PPMD expand the power of the Wellstone centers will have an indelible mark on the future of Duchenne research. We appreciate all you do to keep our community moving toward a day when we end Duchenne.

Sincerely,

Pat Furlong
Founding President & CEO

P.S. Supporting the Wellstone centers is supporting the Power of Us to make a difference in the future of Duchenne research. Together we create innovation. Join us with a donation today.

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