The 25th High Rise Challenge takes place Saturday, October 8, 2022. Join us, and hundreds of Fire Fighters, paramedics, police officers and members of the community, as they climb the 36 floors of La Cité de l’énergie in Shawinigan, Quebec – twice – for a total of 1,190 steps.
THE BOOTS ARE BACK AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!
No one has missed seeing Fire Fighters out in the community supporting individuals affected by neuromuscular disorders more than Fire Fighters themselves.
“We are so happy to be in a position where we can bring the boots back out into the community to raise funds and awareness.”
Dan Hamel, Chair of the National Fire Fighter Relations Committee
Shad’s R&R annual golf tournament
In 1973, the late Fred Shaddick and several of his associates, mostly from the automotive aftermarket sector, decided to get together for a fun day where competitors put business aside to focus on the larger cause of raising funds and awareness for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Since the first tee off 47 years ago, the Shad’s R&R annual golf tournament has raised over $5.2 million for life-changing neuromuscular research.
Important Update on Phone Solicitations
Muscular Dystrophy Canada does not use telemarketing services. You can support Fire Fighters and help them Fill the Boot for Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the individuals and families affected by neuromuscular disorders by going to filltheboot.ca.
STATEMENT REGARDING PHONE SOLICITATIONS
Several years ago, the Canadian Fire Fighter Curling Association (CFFCA) retained a telemarketing company to assist in fundraising for their annual curling event. A portion of the funds raised in past years were donated to MDC.
Muscular Dystrophy Canada can confirm a campaign soliciting donations for the Canadian Fire Fighter Curling Association has begun, seeking donations that support the Canadian Fire Fighter Curling Association.
In the past, we received complaints regarding the tone and approach of these solicitation calls and brought this to the attention of the CFFCA President.
Should you have any concerns or questions please contact the Canadian Fire Fighter Curling Association directly at cffca.ca.
We sincerely thank all of our generous supporters for making our work possible. Again, to help Fire Fighters #filltheboot go to filltheboot.ca.
Give the gift of a new beginning
We didn’t know that with treatment her story could be different.
Lucy should have received treatment before symptoms appeared and thanks to the advocacy of MDC, other babies won’t have to wait.Laura Van Doormaal
Imagine seeing your newborn’s health rapidly decline at three weeks of age. You had been watching them kick, cry, suck their thumb and feed wonderfully, but now you start to notice weakness in their arms and legs. Then, two weeks later, your perfectly healthy, full-term baby is struggling to feed and breathe, and you are receiving a diagnosis that includes the heart crushing words “rarely survive past two years”.
Laura and Scott Van Doormaal do not have to imagine this scenario. This is exactly what they went through when, at five weeks old, their daughter Lucy was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1.
Lucy began a treatment for SMA immediately and then at five months old, on September 9, 2020, she was selected to receive a new gene therapy. For the Van Doormaal family, this was a new start.
All of us at Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) are grateful that Lucy had the opportunity for a new beginning, and for her medical team that made it possible. But we know not everyone has this experience.
It is because of generous donors like you that we’re able to advocate for earlier diagnoses of neuromuscular disorders across Canada, fund more research to improve treatment options and search for cures. We’re making progress, but there is so much more to do.
In a neuromuscular disorder like SMA, where time is of the essence, early diagnosis and prompt access to treatments are critical to achieving the best possible outcomes. Unfortunately, this is not the reality for most Canadians….yet.
Please consider making a gift today. Your donation will ensure that people like Lucy receive earlier diagnoses, and have access to important programs and services that can support their emotional, mental and physical health.
Today, although there is still a long road ahead, Lucy is thriving. At almost two years old, Lucy has started standing with support, communicating more and showing off her love of dancing. She has regained her ability to eat, and truly loves mealtime. Laura told us that:
“Early diagnosis and access to treatment has the biggest impact on the future for families who experience neuromuscular disorders like SMA. I know this is something MDC is passionate about.”
We know that access to treatment before symptoms appear can change a life. Together, we can ensure that screening and diagnoses are available as early as possible, even before 5 weeks of age. That’s why I’m asking you to make a donation today. Your support will mean a new beginning for people across the country.
You can help save lives.
I am grateful to each donor who has invested in our shared goals. You have already made a difference to our community. Thank you for supporting our important work and for your continued partnership.
Sincerely,
Stacey Lintern
Chief Executive Officer
PS. Your gift today will help ensure people diagnosed with neuromuscular disorders receive the treatment they need as soon as possible, before it’s too late.
PPS. Making your donation is easy. Simply fill out the enclosed reply form and return it in the reply envelope, or make your gift online at muscle.ca/give. You can also call 1-800-567-2873 to make a gift by phone.
Change someone’s tomorrow – today!
I had a fifty-fifty chance of inheriting the gene from my mother. I didn’t. But my little brother did. I feel a lot of guilt but all I can do is give my time, money or muscles – sometimes all three – to make a difference for others who are affected by neuromuscular disorders
William Truman
William Truman is a Fire Fighter from Quebec. He’s also a father, friend, son, brother and generous supporter of Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC).
Will and his brother Joe, separated by just a year and a half, grew up extremely close. Despite being diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Joe was always laughing and was such a happy little boy. As a protective older brother, watching Joe grow up with so many challenges was very difficult for Will and brought up a lot of feelings of guilt.
It’s hard not to get emotional when I hear stories like this from families affected by neuromuscular disorders. When Will and I spoke about why he supports MDC, I knew I had to share it with you.
But before I go any further, let me say thank you. It is because of the continued support of donors like you that we are seeing great change and momentum in neuromuscular research.
Will longed to see research advances in Joe’s lifetime.
We are making progress, but there is still a long way to go before we find cures. I’m asking you to help us continue this momentum by making a donation today.
When Will was a kid, MDC helped his family purchase equipment and provided them with supportive services. Having MDC as a partner in Joe’s journey, their journey as a family, was so impactful.
That’s why Will feels that it’s so important to support MDC. He knows exactly how much you are helping families. Right now, and in the future. In his words:
It’s impossible to not find reward in supporting MDC. My favourite part is meeting the children who participate in events like the High Rise Challenge. Seeing their shy smiles, seeing it change to not so shy when they get to sit in the fire truck. That’s why I raise funds – to help moms and dads who are going through what my parents experienced so that their stories have a different ending.
The future is promising. In 2021, the first-ever gene therapy clinical trial for DMD is taking place in Canada and new therapies are in development. We know the breakthroughs we make in research are not isolated to one neuromuscular disorder and will lead to even more new trials and treatments.
Your unwavering support is critical as we work with research, clinical and academic communities to relentlessly search for treatments and cures.
Your support will make the world a little brighter for families on this journey.
I am so grateful when supporters like Will share their story with the hopes of motivating others to give back as well. At MDC we are a powerful community and the impact we make is because of you.
I am so proud of how far we’ve come and where we’re going. Thank you for changing someone’s tomorrow – today!
Stacey Lintern
Chief Executive Officer
PS. Your gift today will help ensure families in the future will benefit from the emerging research as we get closer to cures.
PPS. Making your donation is easy. Simply click here or you can also call 1-800-567-2873 toll-free to make a gift by phone.