POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist football program will be participating Coach To Cure MD Week, a national initiative brought forth by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) in partnership with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD).
This is the 11
th season of Coach To Cure MD. Its goals are to raise awareness and secure research funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a lethal childhood genetic disorder. Since its inception, Coach to Cure MD has raised over $2.1 million.
For Saturday's home game against Drake, the Marist coaching staff will wear patches on their sleeves with the Coach To Cure MD logo.
(Coach Parady & Coach Rumsey shown with Coach to Cure MD patches at last year's game vs. Dayton.)
At Saturday's game, the Red Foxes will be joined by one of their biggest fans. Three-year-old Liam is battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy. He and his family have constantly shown their support for the Marist football program.
(Liam at this year's scrimmage on Aug. 23.)
At last season's Coach To Cure MD game against Dayton, Liam and his family were recognized in a ceremony between the first and second quarters. Liam then spent time with the Red Foxes following their summer scrimmage on Aug. 23. He has also attended each of the Red Foxes' first two home games this season, and will be recognized during an in-game ceremony.
(Liam honored at last year's game vs. Dayton.)
- It is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood.
- Duchenne affects approximately 1 in 5,000 boys worldwide.
- It is a progressive disease.
- Duchenne is 100% fatal. However, in the last three years, two drugs have been approved in the United Stated by the FDA with additional therapies under review.
- Text the word "CURE" to 501501 to donate $25.
- Use @CoachToCureMD and #TackleDuchenne in tweets.
- To learn more, visit CoachToCureMD.org.
Marist (1-2 overall, 1-0 Pioneer Football League) and Drake (0-3, 0-0) will kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are available at MaristTickets.com.
