What is Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

Duchenne is the most common muscle disease of childhood. It is very rare in girls but affects 1 in 3,500 boys. Duchenne is a genetic condition that can be passed down but close to one-third of cases are mutations that occur in the womb - so it is a disease that can occur in anyone’s family.

Duchenne causes the boys’ muscles to get weaker as they age. Boys start falling frequently starting around age 3 and from there have trouble climbing stairs and getting up from a seated position. Eventually, walking becomes too difficult and a wheelchair is needed. Duchenne then affects the arms, then the muscles used for breathing and finally, the heart.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is 100% fatal.

The Future

There is currently no cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, medical interventions have increased the life span and improved the quality of life for many people living with Duchenne.

Max’s Big Ride fundraises for the Gunning Group Lab at the University of Toronto Mississauga. 100% of all money received goes into the lab to support research into better outcomes for those living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.