Throughout this weekend’s games, dozens of college football coaches across the country will join to fight one opponent – Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. By wearing a patch with the Coach to Cure MD insignia, coaches including Urban Meyer will show their support for Coach to Cure Muscular Dystrophy, a partnership between Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest nonprofit organization in the United States focused entirely on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during early childhood. The disorder manifests primarily in boys because the affected gene is on the X chromosome. It is a progressive muscle disorder that causes loss of muscle function and independence. Currently, there is no cure or treatment to stop the progression of Duchenne and young men with the disorder typically only live into their twenties.
All coaches in the AFCA will be invited to participate in Coach to Cure MD – a one-day, game-day awareness event and fundraiser for Duchenne research.