Going for the Gold to End Duchenne - August 2008 With our new look, comes some exciting new PPMD merchandise! This month we are thrilled to feature Josh Winheld’s book, Worth the Ride: My Journey with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Get your copy today. Who Will End Duchenne? You signed the pledge, now it's time to take the next step and have a little fun. Join our End Duchenne photo campaign today.  It's a chance to be creative, while also raising awareness for Duchenne. Best of all, it's easy. Have you joined PPMD’s Community Site? This easy to use site is your way to connect and share stories with people who will truly understand you. If your child has been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, please visit DuchenneConnect. This new website and cutting edge technology connects patients and their families with researchers and physicians across the country and will update you on the latest trials and research that may directly affect your son. Connect to the most active network of professionals working to end Duchenne. Report on PPMD Funded Projects Read the latest update on PPMD funded projects happening at the University of Pennsylvania, including Project Catalyst. S.T.I.R. - Striving To Improve Research More than ever, we need your help to further Duchenne research. Over the years PPMD's investment has acted as a catalyst, moving research to new levels. You can play a vital role in advancing this critical research now by joining S.T.I.R., Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy's monthly giving program dedicated to funding research. Through S.T.I.R. you'll demonstrate the power we have when we work together. Join now and receive a special gift from PPMD and National Geographic! Update on Need for Haelan/BBI Trial PPMD’s Scientific Director H. Lee Sweeney discusses the need for Haelan/BBI trials with PPMD Board of Directors. Click here to read his recommendation.         Update:  Reauthorization of the MD-CARE Act Thanks to YOU, our advocates, we have already gotten more than a quarter of the House (122) and Senate (26) to cosponsor the MD-CARE Act Reauthorization. Have YOUR Members of Congress cosponsored yet? It's never too late to call their office or send an email requesting them to cosponsor. Find out if your members of Congress are taking your issues into consideration. August Recess You may be able to ask your local representative to cosponsor the Bill or thank them for cosponsoring in person: Because it is August recess many Members of Congress will be spending the month back home and may be holding a town hall meeting where you can ask that they cosponsor the Bill in person. Take a look at their website or call their office to see if such an event is scheduled for August. Click here for a list of who represents you.     Olympic Swimmer Takes on New Competition- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Olympic swimmer and gold-medal favorite Ryan Lochte announced that he will donate a percentage of his endorsement earnings to PPMD. Ryan, who has endorsements deals with Speedo and McDonalds, has a personal connection to Duchenne and PPMD. “I had a family member with Duchenne, so I’ve seen the impact of this disease firsthand,” said Ryan, preparing to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. “I am committed to do anything I can to raise awareness and end Duchenne and I’m thrilled to think that this donation will make a difference in the lives of boys with the disease.” To read more about Ryan and find out his racing schedule at the Olympics in Beijing, click here. Rocky Run 2: The Recap Smack in the middle of a Philadelphia heat wave, over 270 Run For Our Sons teammates pounded through the streets of Philadelphia on a three-mile course that included the steps of the Philadelphia Arts Museum, made famous by Sylvester Stallone. Four local networks (including a helicopter) covered the event, led by none other than Rocky Balboa himself. Runners included everyone from marathon regulars, to walkers with coffee. Relive Rocky Run 2 through these photos! Don’t Miss the Magic! The clock is ticking and the slots are filling to join the Run For Our Sons team at the Walt Disney World marathon and half marathon in Orlando. Anyone who participated last year can tell you that this experience is not just about running a race through the streets of the Magic Kingdom at sunrise…it’s a weekend adventure where your family can play in the world’s largest playground with your PPMD family. Don’t let summer end without registering Join the Run For Our Sons team today!           PPMD’s 2008 CONNECT Conference Available for Download The 2008 CONNECT Conference has come and gone with great success! Not only did we have record attendance and welcome many new families into the PPMD community, but this year’s presentations were some of the most informative and promising to date. Click here to download all of the presentations from the conference. And keep checking out the PPMD website for downloadable video presentations and audio podcasts of some of the conference highlights. It’s Back to School Time Summer is coming to an end and while you are busy buying new backpacks and classroom materials, it’s time for you pick up a copy of perhaps the most important booklet you will need. Education Matters: A Teacher's Guide to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Adaptive PE: A Teacher's Guide to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (written specifically for the physical education teacher) are your guides to meeting with your child’s teachers and other key school staff at or before the beginning of the school year to formulate a plan of action to ease your son’s transition into the classroom. Contact Will Nolan at will@parentprojectmd.org  to obtain a hard copy of either booklet.         Our Mission: To improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy through research, education, advocacy and compassion. © Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy 2008 — All Rights Reserved. 158 Linwood Plaza, Suite 220 Fort Lee, NJ 07024 Help us end Duchenne. Donate today. Forward to a friend. Was this e-mail forwarded to you? Subscribe today.