Unionville Run For Our Sons 5K Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

HACKENSACK, N.J., April 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomorrow marks the 10^th Annual Unionville Run For Our Sons 5K – a local event hosted by the Johnson family benefiting Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), a nonprofit organization leading the fight to end Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne). To date, the Johnsons have raised over $482,000 with nearly 48,000 runners joining the race to end Duchenne over the last decade.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately one in every 5,000 live male births. 

"In 2007, Elliott (15) and Henry (12) were diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The day we received that diagnosis is forever emblazoned in our minds. We were devastated and overwhelmed, desperate to do anything to help our sons. That is when we found PPMD. They were there for us from the very beginning and continue to be there for families across the country as they try to navigate this exceedingly complex disease," says Joanna Johnson, Spanish teacher at Unionville High School, PPMD Board Member, and mom of Elliott and Henry. "With the help of our amazing community and the hundreds of runners who join us each year, we have raised close to $500,000 to help support Duchenne research that will one day treat, not just Elliott and Henry, but all those living with this devastating disease."

More than just a 5K, this wonderful event includes door prizes, raffles, awards for top runners, Family Fun Day games, face painting, and refreshments. Unionville High School students volunteer to help out, making this truly a community event.

"The Johnsons have been part of the PPMD family since their sons were diagnosed and we have loved getting to know their family over the years. Everyone navigates a Duchenne diagnosis differently. For the Johnsons, it meant raising money to help find a cure and doing whatever they could to help fight this disease. We are so grateful to the Johnsons and their friends who make the Unionville Run For Our Sons 5K such a wonderful annual event. Because of the passion, energy, and dedication of this community, we are confident that we will end Duchenne," said Pat Furlong, Founding President & CEO of PPMD.

The race begins at 9am at Charles F. Patton Middle School in Kennett Square on Saturday, April 6 with registration open at 8am. It's not too late to join the fun! Register for the 10^th Annual Unionville Run For Our Sons 5K or contribute to the fundraising effort by visiting their website.

To learn more about Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, visit www.ParentProjectMD.org.

About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne is a fatal genetic disorder that slowly robs people of their muscle strength. Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) fights every single battle necessary to end Duchenne.

We demand optimal care standards and ensure every family has access to expert healthcare providers, cutting edge treatments, and a community of support. We invest deeply in treatments for this generation of Duchenne patients and in research that will benefit future generations. Our advocacy efforts have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in funding and won two FDA approvals.

Everything we do—and everything we have done since our founding in 1994—helps those with Duchenne live longer, stronger lives. We will not rest until we end Duchenne for every single person affected by the disease. Join our fight against Duchenne at EndDuchenne.org. Follow PPMD on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. 

SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Related Links

http://www.parentprojectmd.org