What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophies?

DMD is a devastating, progressive muscle-wasting disorder that slowly robs those diagnosed of their independence and eventually their life. DMD is the most common lethal genetic disorder of childhood. It affects 1 in 3500 boys worldwide. It knows no boundaries and crosses into all cultures and races. Boys with DMD typically lose their ability to walk between the ages of 10 and 14. By their late teens, they lose most of their upper body strength, including the ability to move their arms. They need respiratory support at night during their teenage years. Over time, their respiratory systems weaken and they require more constant support. Medical data suggest that they typically survive only into their twenties, losing their battle to Duchenne due to pulmonary and respiratory failure. To date, there is no known cure for DMD.