AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Champions can come in all sizes and shapes, but none have bigger hearts than Texans who are fighting to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. On April 9, hundreds will gather at The University of Texas Golf Club for the seventh annual Champions to CureDuchenne gala to raise awareness and funds to help CureDuchenne in its mission to find a cure for this deadly genetic disease. Champions to CureDuchenne is hosted by former University of Texas football player Vince Young and will be emceed by Jim Spencer, chief weathercaster at KXAN.
Found mostly in boys, Duchenne muscular dystrophy causes muscle degeneration, growing worse at patients get older. Those with Duchenne often lose their ability to walk by their mid-teens and the disease claims their lives by their mid-20s. Duchenne affects one in 3,500 boys in the U.S.
Seven years ago, former University of Texas coach Mack Brown and his wife Sally teamed up with Tim and Laura Revell, parents of two boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and created Champions to CureDuchenne, the Longhorn style, Texas-sized tailgate party held annually at the University of Texas Golf Club. Champions to CureDuchenne has raised more than a million dollars to find a cure for this devastating disease that has no cure and no treatments.
“When our sons were diagnosed there was little hope for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy,” said Tim Revell. “While we have made great strides in finding a treatment, there is still much work to be done. Without a cure, boys with Duchenne will have their life cut short way too soon. By supporting CureDuchenne you are investing in a treatment pipeline for the future survival of all those with Duchenne. We need more champions to help us find a cure.”
The Champions to CureDuchenne Austin Gala is presented by Johnny Carino's. Event sponsors include H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Revenew International LLC, Reese Family Foundation, Diamonds Direct, Summit Stoneworks, Designer Floors of Texas, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and the NFL Alumni Austin. The event will feature food, drinks, entertainment and a live and silent auction. The cost is $150 per person. For tickets and more information, please go to www.ChampionsforaCure.org.
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About CureDuchenne
CureDuchenne is a national nonprofit organization located in Newport Beach, Calif., dedicated to finding a cure for Duchenne, the most common and most lethal form of muscular dystrophy. As the leading genetic killer of young boys, Duchenne affects more than 300,000 boys worldwide. CureDuchenne has garnered international attention for its efforts to raise funds and awareness for Duchenne through venture philanthropy. With the help of CureDuchenne’s distinguished international panel of Scientific Advisors, funds raised by CureDuchenne support the most promising research aimed at treating and curing Duchenne. To date, seven CureDuchenne research projects have advanced into human clinical trials – a unique accomplishment, as few health-related nonprofits have been as successful in being a catalyst for human clinical trials.
