LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – On Saturday, Sept. 24, Lincoln University head coach O.J. Abanishe and thousands of coaches across the country will together raise awareness and much needed research funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy with the American Football Coaches Association's annual Coach to Cure MD.
"Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is one of the least known, but most fatal forms of Muscular Dystrophy that effects young children world wide,” Abanishe said. “Myself and our coaching staff are proud to bring social awareness to this disease and how it affects so many of our young children world wide.”
In 2008, the AFCA adopted PPMD's Coach To Cure MD program as one of their charity efforts. One reason the AFCA was drawn to Coach To Cure MD was because of the unique parallels between
Duchenne, a disorder which robs young men of precious muscle strength and college football, a game where young men are at the peak of their muscle strength.
The goals of Coach To Cure MD are simple
- Raise national awareness of the disorder
- Raise money to fund research for a cure
Our approach to reaching these goals is also simple
One football Saturday of each season (this year it will be on September 24, 2011) AFCA coaches nationwide agree to promote Coach To Cure MD.
By wearing armbands, mentioning Coach To Cure MD during on and off-field interviews, and in some instances doing even more extensive media relations around the date, coaches are rolling up their sleeves and proudly getting involved.
About The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)
The AFCA is the professional association that represents more than 90 percent of head coaches at American colleges and universities. Founded in 1921, the AFCA has promoted the improvement of the coaching profession and has highlighted the good work of coaches on and off the field.
About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD)
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States focused entirely on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Since 1994, PPMD has improved the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne through research, advocacy, education, and compassion. Because of our efforts, families affected by Duchenne have better access to state-of-the-art care information, research is moving forward at an accelerated pace, and legislation now exists funding Duchenne research and outreach programs.
We take a comprehensive approach in the fight against Duchenne—funding research, raising awareness, promoting advocacy, connecting the community, and broadening treatment options. Only this comprehensive approach will lead to the day that 100% of those diagnosed can turn to a treatment that will lead to the end of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
