About Coach to Cure MD (CTC)
Coach To Cure MD is a partnership between the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), a professional organization for over 10,000 college football coaches and staff, and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest national charity devoted exclusively to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 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 and 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 25, 2010) 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 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. (Learn more)
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.
The name of the organization reflects our grassroots origins, parent-led focus, and passion, and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy is now a name recognized around the world as the leader in the Duchenne community. We hold the highest ethical standards and consistently receive high marks from watchdog organizations.
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. (Learn more)
Learn more about Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
About TIAA-CREF
The TIAA-CREF group of companies is a national financial services organization with nearly $375 billion in combined assets under management (as of 06/30/09) and the leading provider of retirement services in the academic, research, medical, and cultural fields.
Further information can be found at http://www.tiaa-cref.org/.
