Shae and Gus go to Everest

Meet my friend, Gus Dreher. Gus has a disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This is an illness that only runs in boys and causes the rapid detioration of  muscle. Duchenne  commonly takes these boys' lives before the age of 30. Gus will likely be wheelchair bound by the age of 15. I am trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp to raise money and awareness for this horrible disease. All of the money I raise will be donated to science to help researchers find a cure for Duchenne Musclar Dystrophy. If medicine does not progress, we will lose more and more boys to Duchenne; it affects around 1 in 3,600 boys. This are about 20,000 new cases each year worldwide.

I have known Gus and his family since I was 9 years old; this means I met Gus when he was 4. Growing up, I never fully understood the severity of this disease and what Gus had. It wasn't until I was older and saw Gus falling, and watched his difficultly walking, that I fully grasped how awful Duchenne is. Gus is the same age as my youngest brother, Gage, which makes watching Gus go through Duchenne that much sadder. Gus already has many dreams he would like to fulfill in his life. One of which is becoming a wildlife ecologist. This is something I already know he would be fantastic at, as he treats animals as if they are the greatest creation out there.

It is our job to encourage conversation and educate others about the fatal disease that is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy so that we can catch the attention of researchers and drug companies.

In September 2017, I will be going on a 14 day trek up to  Mount Everest Base Camp with my mom, Gus' mom, and many more individuals who are excited and determined to raise money and awareness for Duchenne. Every dollar I raise will be donated to research for Duchenne.

My parents company, Full Circle International, Inc. will be matching doantions up to $5,000 to raise a total of $10,000 for finding a cure to end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Thank you so much for your contribution!
-Shae Annis