Fundraising Event Will Benefit Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

OAK LAWN, Ill., March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Friday, March 12, 2010, The Oak Lawn Community High School Spartans gym will be transformed into its own Dancing with the Stars when for one night only, the gym will become Dancing with the Spartans.  The event, sponsored by the Senior Class Advisory Board, will mirror the style of the popular TV show: four male teachers and four female teachers chosen by the students will be paired with professional dancers for two months of lessons and one night of competition.  No detail will be spared. There will be three judges with glittered number panels, a video montage of each dancer's journey, a large projection screen connected to a live-feed camera off stage where the dancers will discuss their performance before the judges give their scores, and, of course, the winners will receive a mirror ball trophy. The votes will be decided through a combination of judges' scores and the audience votes.  Votes are $1 a piece.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100304/DC64640)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100119/DC39975LOGO)

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD).  PPMD is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 by parents and grandparents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne).  PPMD is internationally recognized as the leader in the Duchenne community.  Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 live male births (about 20,000 new cases each year).  Duchenne results in progressive muscle weakness which leads to serious medical problems, particularly issues relating to the heart and lungs.  For more information on PPMD, please visit their website at www.parentprojectmd.org.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy affects the son of one of Oak Lawn's math teachers, Mrs. Shannon DeMatteo; PPMD President and Founder Pat Furlong, is thrilled that Oak Lawn is showing such support to the DeMatteo family and PPMD. "We are at the start of a new decade and on the brink of so much promise in Duchenne research. It is more important than ever to continue to fund the research that will help us end Duchenne. Creative, innovative fundraisers like Dancing with the Spartans will get us to a cure that much quicker! What a wonderful event not only for Oak Lawn's students but for the entire Oak Lawn community. We are so grateful to the faculty participating in this incredible evening!"

Additional information on the event is available on the school's website at www.olchs.org or by contacting SCAB Advisor Eileen Jones at 708-741-5645.

About PPMD

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 by parents of children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.  The organization's mission is to improve the treatment, quality of life and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy through research, advocacy, education and compassion.  PPMD is headquartered in Middletown, Ohio with offices in Fort Lee, New Jersey.  For more information, visit www.parentprojectmd.org.

SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.parentprojectmd.org
http://www.olchs.org/