Sam's Night Celebrates 21 Years of Fighting to End Duchenne, Raises $1.7 Million for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

DALLAS, Oct. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Killian family of Rockwall, Texas, is celebrating another successful year of Sam's Night, their annual fundraiser benefiting Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the leading U.S. nonprofit driving Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy care, research, and advocacy efforts. On Thursday, October 15, the Killian family welcomed friends, family, and supporters to Victory Social for the 21st annual Sam's Night, raising $1.7 million, based on preliminary totals at press time, to support PPMD's mission to end Duchenne.

Since its beginning, Sam's Night has raised more than $10 million to support PPMD's work advancing research, improving care, advocating for the Duchenne community, and accelerating the development of and access to therapies. What began more than two decades ago as Sam's Family Fun Day has evolved alongside Sam Killian, now 24 years old, who was diagnosed with Duchenne in 2005. The event has grown from a family-friendly gathering into an evening fundraiser that brings together the Killians' friends, family, colleagues, and supporters around a shared commitment to changing what is possible for people living with Duchenne.

"After 21 years, we are still amazed by the incredible support Sam's Night continues to receive," said John Killian, Sam's father. "What began as Sam's Family Fun Day when Sam was a child has grown and evolved alongside him into an event that brings together our family, friends, and community in such a meaningful way. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped make Sam's Night what it is today and who continues to stand with Sam and the entire Duchenne community."

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive genetic disorder that slowly robs individuals of their muscle strength. Today, improvements in multidisciplinary care and therapeutic options have contributed to longer life expectancy, and more individuals with Duchenne are reaching adulthood and pursuing education, careers, relationships, and other milestones. Since PPMD was founded in 1994, average lifespan has increased from the late teens and early 20s to the mid-20s and early 30s. Continued investment in research, comprehensive care, advocacy, and access to therapies is essential to building on this progress and ultimately ending Duchenne.

"Sam's journey reflects a larger story across the Duchenne community: people living with Duchenne are living longer and reaching milestones that once felt out of reach," said Pat Furlong, Founding President of PPMD. "The Killian family's dedication to this community has helped make Sam's Night a tremendous success year after year, and their generosity and commitment have made a difference for countless families. We are deeply grateful to the Killians for sharing their journey, bringing people together, and supporting PPMD."

Sponsors of the 2026 Sam's Night event include Bowman Creative Media; CBRE; Chicago Title; Clarion Partners; Colliers International; Cushman & Wakefield; Dear John Paper Company; Elkins Kalt Weintraub Reuben Gartside LLP; Ernst & Young; Hillwood, a Perot Company; Fullmer Construction; JLL; KBC Advisors; Kessler Collins; Knight Commercial; MRP Industrial; PriceWaterhouseCoopers; REDA; Stream Realty, Trammell Crow Company; Vinson & Elkins; The UPS Store; Wells Fargo; and Willmeng Construction.

There is still time to contribute by visiting SamsNight.org.

About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne is a 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 eight 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, Instagram, and YouTube.

SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD)