Help Walker Beat Muscular Dystrophy

This gofundme page is for Walker, son of Kyla and grandson of Dave Collette, who at the age of 1 has been diagnosed with Duchenne, a rare form of muscular dystrophy. We're hoping to help Kyla and Walker raise money for their upcoming expenses, but also, with the hopes of finding a way to cure Duchenne, and eliminate it from this planet.

 

Walker will be 2 on February 20. He was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy last year shortly after his first birthday. Duchenne is a rare genetic, progressive and fatal muscle-wasting disease. It is the result of a defective gene responsible for producing the key muscle protein, dystrophin. Duchenne causes the muscles in the body to become weak and damaged, leading loss of all muscle function and ultimately to heart and breathing muscle failure. There is currently no cure.

 

DMD affects about 300,000 boys worldwide and 15,000 in the United States.

 

Steroids are the only "treatment" option thus far, and are not a cure but merely prolong progression as long as possible. The average life expectancy is mid 20s, and average wheelchair use by age 12.

 

 

We are fortunate to live in an age with scientific advancements, and many drug companies are in the early states of developing and working with gene therapy. Walker is currently on the list to receive Pfizer gene therapy some time this year, pending site approval by the FDA. Though thankful and hopeful for this opportunity, it comes with a long inpatient stay and many months of extensive and continual monitoring and doctors appointments.

 

As for the current time being, the first big financial hurdle will be to help cover expenses during Walker's inpatient stay at Children's Hospital and the time period following gene therapy. It will require quite a bit of time off from work and much travel to and from appointments.

 

If you can donate to help Walker get the treatment he needs, we'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you all and keep us in your prayers.

Kyla, Dave, and Walker