Syracuse to Wear 'Coach to Cure MD' Patches

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse coaching staff will show its support for the "Coach to Cure MD" program Saturday, Sept. 29 when the Orange visit Memorial Stadium to take on No. 3 Clemson. Orange coaches and other American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) members around the country will wear "Coach to Cure MD" logo patches this Saturday to raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

"Coach to Cure MD" began in 2008 with more than 200 schools and 2,700 coaches involved. It has expanded to over 600 schools and more than 11,000 coaches wearing the logo patch on the sidelines and participating in "Coach to Cure MD" events. During its first 10 year, the annual effort has raised nearly $2 million 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 to help fund the fight to end Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

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 for Duchenne. But thanks to "Coach to Cure MD" and the work of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), there is hope.

A decade ago, few people in America knew about Duchenne and fewer still had reason to hope that any treatment for the fatal genetic disorder was on the horizon. But thanks in part to college football coaches, awareness of the disorder is at an all-time high and new treatments are in the pipeline – including two approved therapies – giving optimism for the families battling this progressive muscle disorder.

"The AFCA and our members take great pride in our association with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy," AFCA Executive Director Todd Berry said. "Each year, our coaches look forward to wearing the 'Coach to Cure MD' patch so that they can help bring awareness and much needed funds to help find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy."

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.

"Football is a team sport. It requires the unique skill set of each individual player and coach in order for a team to be successful. Similarly with Duchenne, it will take a community of researchers, scientists, clinicians, industry partners, and of course families, to find treatments and stop the progression of this devastating disease. We couldn't fight this fight without the ongoing commitment of every coach in the AFCA," said Pat Furlong, founding president and CEO of 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 all the coaches who wear 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."

Start time for the Orange and Tigers Saturday is slated for noon on ABC.

For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).

Syracuse University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos