Football | September 26, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan's football program will take part in the support of the Coach To Cure MD program, presented by Werner Ladder, which will be held during games across the country on Saturday, September 28. The annual effort has raised more than $1.5 dollars to battle Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Dushenne).
 
Saturday at Waldo Stadium, the Broncos will be joined by the Friar family from Grand Rapids, Mich. Kyle Friar, a 15-year old freshman at Forest Hills Central in Grand Rapids, Mich., suffers from Duschenne and will be the honorary captain for the Battle for the Cannon versus Central Michigan. Kyle's sister, Colleen, is a senior at Western Michigan.
 
Now in its twelfth year, Coach To Cure MD, annually involves over 10,000 football coaches at over 500 college and high school programs, making it the largest national game day charity event in football.
 
Football fans can help support the fight to end Duchenne by either going online to www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word CURE to 501501 to make a $25 donation.
 
Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood, primarily affecting boys of all cultures. People with Duchenne develop progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes loss of mobility, wheelchair dependency, and a decline in respiratory and cardiac function. Currently, there is no cure for Duchenne. But thanks to Coach To Cure MD presented by Werner Ladder and the work of PPMD, there is hope.
 
About the AFCA
The American Football Coaches Association was founded in 1922 and is considered the primary professional association for football coaches at all levels of competition. The 11,000-member organization's goal is to ensure that every football coach receives the finest professional development support and resources available. It brings relevant topics and current advancements directly to its members.
 
About PPMD
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is the largest, most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the United States focused on finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy with the mission to end Duchenne.
 
The organization accelerates research, raises voices to impact policy, demands optimal care for every single family and strives to ensure access to approved therapies.
 
The name of the organization reflects its grassroots origins, parent-led focus, and passion and is recognized around the world as the leader in the Duchenne community. Because of its efforts, families affected by Duchenne have better access to state-of-the-art care information, research is moving forward at an accelerated pace, legislation now exists to fund Duchenne research and outreach programs, and there are two approved therapies.
 
Today, the passion continues to drive the organization to improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne. For more information, go to www.ParentProjectMD.org.

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