My name is Nathalie, and I am the mother of an 8 year old boy who has recently been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a major life altering disease.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a medical condition that affects boys and is generally diagnosed at about age 6. This neuromuscular disorder causes progressive deterioration of every muscle in their body.
It is inevitable; boys that are affected by this disease first become physically weak which prevent them to play, run and climb as other 7 year old boys would normally do. Generally by age 12, the muscles in the lower part of their body have so drastically deteriorated that they become confined to a wheelchair. Eventually, the disease weakens the remainder of their muscles such as arms, hands and back. Then, by their mid to late teens they require the assistance of heart and breathing aids as the muscles of their lungs and heart are also weakened, unfortunately this results in premature death, most often by age 19.
Although scientists are working at finding a cure for this disease, none has yet been found. There is hope however, that funds provided through fundraising events will help support research for a cure.
We are in our third year in organizing a ride for hope to generate awareness of this neuromuscular disorder and to raise funds to find a cure. In 2010 we had 386 participants in attendance from the Outaouais region, including, the Canadian Army Veteran Motorcycle Units (C.A.V.), various motorcycle clubs and individual participants. The C.A.V. units in Newfoundland and North Bay also held on the same day a Nathan Ride for Hope to raise funds for research for muscular dystrophy.
During the Nathan Ride for Hope 2010, we raised $11,000.00. In 2011, we raised an additional $8,000. Our goal this year is to surpass 2011 and possibly 2010! All funds raised were donated to Muscular Dystrophy Canada – specifically targeted to Duchenne MD research.
Your donation will help our event be a success and in exchange we will promote your business by adding your company logo on our brochure, poster and website.
I hope that I can count on your support to help make a real difference in the lives of the children who are affected with this neuromuscular disorder.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.
Yours sincerely,
Nathalie Bercier