Orange Staff to Participate in Coach to Cure MD Program

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse coaching staff will show its support for the Coach to Cure MD program on Saturday, Sept. 30 when the Orange visit Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh to take on NC State. Orange coaches and other American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) members around the country will wear Coach to Cure MD logo patches on their left arm to raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Last year, more than 11,000 college coaches at 620 institutions participated in Coach to Cure MD events. The program, now in its 10th year, has raised just over $1.5M in the fight against this disease.

Football fans can donate to Duchenne muscular dystrophy research by going online to www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word CURE to 50555 to make a $10 donation in honor of this year's anniversary.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood and primarily affects boys of all races and cultures. People with Duchenne develop progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes loss of mobility, wheelchair dependency, and decline in respiratory and cardiac function. Currently, there is no cure and limited therapeutic options exist.

"We're thrilled and excited that we've reached the milestone of 10 consecutive seasons for our coaches to bring awareness to Duchenne muscular dystrophy through Coach to Cure MD," said AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry. "What began as a great idea in 2008 has grown to a tremendous dedication of support from college coaches at all levels of the game, and we look forward to our biggest season yet on Sept. 30."

In addition to the coaches' efforts, families affected by Duchenne will gather for fundraising tailgate parties on campuses around the country to encourage more fans to get involved.

"We couldn't do this without the commitment from all of the coaches in the AFCA," said Pat Furlong, founding president and CEO of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD). "The awareness raised for Duchenne has been nothing short of incredible and we continue to raise more money every year as a result. Because of the dedication of every coach that wears a patch in honor of our families, and thanks to college football fans nationwide, we continue to move closer to the day we end Duchenne. We are counting down the minutes to gameday on Sept. 30 and we are so grateful to everyone who has joined our team these last 10 years."

Start time for the Orange and Wolfpack Saturday is slated for 12:20 p.m. on the ACC Network.

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Syracuse University Athletics

Orange Staff to Participate in Coach to Cure MD Program

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