Important Message from PPMD Board Chairman… Kinda

Did you see the YouTube video with John & Sam Killian?  Check it out:

About Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1994 by parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.  Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common lethal genetic disorder diagnosed during early childhood, affecting approximately 1 out of every 3,500 boys and 20,000 babies born each year.  The organization’s mission is to improve the treatment, quality of life and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy through research, advocacy, education and compassion.  PPMD is the largest grassroots organization in the U.S. entirely focused on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.  It is headquartered in Midddletown, Ohio with offices in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Coach to Cure MD: TIAA Sponsored Commercial

Here’s the commercial that TIAA CREF Sponsored for Coach to Cure MD. If you love the rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State, you’ll love this commercial.

Northwestern Mutual Foundation Honors Volunteer Chris Messick by Donating $10,000 to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Chris Messick and Team have been recongized by Northwestern Mutual Foundation for their volunteer work in administering the organizational and financial responsibilities to make Sam’s Family Fund Day happen. In their honor, Northwestern Mutual has donated $10,000 to Parent Project Muscular Dystorphy (PPMD), a national organization that aims to improve the lives of those with Duchenne through research and advocay.

In 2005, when Mr. Messick learned that Sam, the 4-year old child of a client, had been diagnosed with Duchenne musucular dystophy, he was moved to action.

Mr. Messick is a certified financial planner and wealth management adviser for Messick Financial Solutions in Dallas. He decided that writing a check was too easy and instead thought this was an opportunity to serve the family and do something special. Five months later was the first Sam’s Family Fun Day, a fundraiser focused on providing fun for kids and their families through entertainment such as obstacle courses, bounce houses, magic show and more.

On October 24th, the fifth annual Sam’s Family Fund Day will be held. The fundraising goal is $250,000 which is a far cry from the $38,000 raised in 2005.

To Learn More About the Award, see the press release at InvestmentNews.com and the one from Northwestern Mutual Foundation.

October 24, 2009 – Fifth Annual Sam’s Day to End Duchenne Benefiting Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy

Sam’s Family Fun Day is an opportunity to help raise funds to benefit the research programs of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and to help kids of all ages learn about muscular dystrophy and living with disabilities. Our goal is to help give kids with Duchenne muscular dystrophy a chance to do the things that kids are supposed to do.

Sam’s Day was started in 2005 by friends of Sam Killian. Sam is a 7 year old boy from Rockwall, TX that was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 2005. Since 2005, Sam’s Day has raised over $250,000, all of which has gone directly to funding a cure for Duchenne. With your support, we are having an impact on this disease, and how it affects the 150,000 boys around the world with Duchenne MD.

Please visit our fundraising page: www.ParentProjectMD.org/Sam5

When: Saturday, October 24, 2009 10:00am til 2:00pm

Where: Flagpole Hill at White Rock Lake (Map) – Google Map

Activities: Bounce house, Rock Climbing Wall, Obstacle Course, Fast Pitch, Slide, Games2U Gaming Truck, Hamster Ball, Lazer Tag, Face painters, Magicians, Stilt Walkers, Train Rides, and a NASCAR legends racer

Sam’s Day entertainment provided by Games 2U!

Food: Chic-fil-a, hamburgers, hot dogs, and ALL the fixins, shaved ice and cotton candy.

Sam’s Day is Open to the Public!

Click HERE to start your own fundraising page for Sam’s Day!

Unable to attend the event but still want to help?

September 26, 2009 – Coach to Cure MD

On September 26, 2009, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) will once again join forces for Coach to Cure MD, a one-day, nationwide event designed to raise awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Click here to learn more about Coach to Cure MD.