http://youtube.com/watch?v=/v/hOrDVykF9Lc&hl=en_US&fs=1
On June 19th, Heidi and Sean Marshall of Aliso Viejo, joined in the 2010 Climb to Cure Duchenne: Pick Your Peak. The climb was a fundraiser for Orange County based non-profit Cure Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Across the country, dozens of teams reached the summit of many of the U.S.’s most well-known peaks like Mt. Shasta and Mt. Baldy in California, the Manitou Incline in the Colorado Rockies, and even the Wachovia Financial Tower in Miami, Florida to raise awareness and a total of over $250,000 for research.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the leading genetic killer of children and affects primarily boys. More than 1 in every 3500 boys worldwide has DMD and as of this point is 100% fatal. There is promise for a cure with many top researchers working actively to find it. Cure Duchenne’s mission is to find a cure in time to save this generation of boys.
Heidi and Sean led a team up Mt. Shasta in Northern California, the summit being 14,162 feet. The team started their ascent on Friday June 18th and hiked half way up the mountain to set up base camp at 10,000 feet. Around 2 am the following morning, the team started in the dark to make the summit.
With sunny skies but below freezing temperatures, the team made the summit and remembered the thousands of children they were climbing for.
“We have two healthy girls and thinking of them helped us climb to the top.
I’m grateful for the chance to work with these parents and help find a cure for their children,” said Sean Marshall who works full time with Cure Duchenne as their Marketing Director.
Heidi Marshall continued, “The researchers can’t do it alone. The parents can’t do it alone. It’s up to all of us who’ve been blessed with so much to help those in need. This climb has provided the perfect opportunity to do so.”
Due to the success of the event, Cure Duchenne is already planning the 2011 Climb to Cure Duchenne. For more information contact Cure Duchenne at 949-872-2552 or visit www.cureduchenne.org.
