The Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy Research Inc.

Dear all family, friends and loved ones,

On Monday May 3rd, 2021,  we lost a true fighter and an amazing human being, Dylan P. Thompson. With our deepest sorrow, he is no longer with us due to an unexpected accident. He spent the past 27 years fighting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He made incredible contributions to the lives of his loved ones and the community. He was a true inspiration and influence everyone in his life in such an impactful way. If you knew Dylan you knew he had a huge heart and was always rooting for the underdog.

Dylan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy around age five. DMD is a disease that affects the muscles, leading to the muscle deteriorating and gets worse over time. The symptoms of DMD include progressive weakness and loss (atrophy) of both skeletal and heart muscle. His family successfully dedicated their lives to promote a healthy and happy life for Dylan. He was always encouraged to play sports with his cousins and he loved to attend the countless family parties. Dylan was blessed to have the assistance from his service dog Mallie for 12 long years with whom he absolutely cherished. With the hard work and infinite love of his family, Dylan's Footprint Fundraiser was created that raised money towards a handicapped accessible vehicle. This allowed his world to grow so much bigger. He loved drives to local beaches, attending concerts, spending summers at Cape Cod and walks outside in the beautiful outdoors. 

Dylan played such a vital role at Harborfields High School. The amazing staff and students always provided him with the support he needed to have a fulfilling high school experience. He was the assistant basketball coach of the varsity team and helped led the team to victory at state champions 2011-2012. In his last few months he spent his time as an assistant football coach for the junior varsity team. He attended all games rain or shine. His dedication to Harborfields will always be remembered. 

With the extensive help of his mother Gloria, Dylan created his own freelance design business called Dylan Thompson Art. He drew and designed custom note cards, canvases and assorted products which he sold online and throughout the Long Island Community. His art has been displayed in multiple art galleries and fine art shows which were admired and loved by everyone. His art was featured in the local paper on numerous occasions and inspired many artists who were honored to meet him. As part of his legacy, his business will continue and his products can be bought on his website: https://www.dylanthompsonart.com/. 

Dylan was the BIGGEST New York Jets fan. From the infinite Jets memorabilia in his room to the countless games he attended with his father Paul, sister Deanna and friends, Dylan was always extremely dedicated and hopeful for his team. We would like to thank the New York Jets for providing Dylan with such joy, encouragement and the perfect escape throughout the years he needed to continue on the fight for his happiness. 

No matter how hard life tried to put him down, he found a way to rise above its difficulties in order to pursue his dreams and a life worth living. He taught us what it means to be a wonderful son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend. He taught us to always fight for what we want and to never give up. Finally, he taught us to be grateful and value the life we live because no matter how hard your life can get, not anyone can fight as hard as Dylan fought all these years. Rest in Peace Dylan. Words can not describe how much we love and miss you.  

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to help continue the research to cure Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  This disease affects thousands of children and adults worldwide. The day DMD is cured is the day that the world will become a better place to live.

"Out of your pain, can come your purpose. You never really get over it, you get past it." -Dylan wrote this the night before he passed.

If you like to check out the beautiful life Dylan lived, please feel free to check out this Google Album I made: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ptpEybRiELe4S8ub9

Team Mitchell is raising funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research and to bring awareness about this debilitating fatal disease. Mitch, a member of the Division II National Championship Ferris State Men's Basketball Team has been an inspiration to us all. His fight has showed the entire team, athletics department, and university that we can rise above our challenges and power through anything that gets in our way.  Team Mitchell is joining the fight to bring an end to Duchenne MD,  please join us in this effort! #ByeByeBronkemaBeard  if Team Mitchell is able to meet the goal Head Coach Andy Bronkema will shave his beard at the Championship Celebration in Wink Arena Saturday, April 14!

Hi there!

My name is Brian Marquis and I am a solo touring musician. I am proud to announce my partnership with Spaghetti Arms  for A Bike & A Mic For A Cure Tour where I will be cycling over 1,200 miles around the northeast playing shows to raise money and awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in early childhood, affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 live male births. Crazy, right? I didn't know that myself until 2012 when I met Sean from Spaghetti Arms at the Vans Warped Tour.

Spaghetti Arms is a volunteer project from New Milford, CT dedicated to raising awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and fundraising for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit (Tax ID: 31-1405490) who funds research, care, and community outreach for those with Duchenne.

Sean Quigg, founder of Spaghetti Arms, and I at Vans Warped Tour 2014

I will be donating all my personal profits from each of the shows on tour and we have set a goal of $5000 by the end of the tour. Spaghetti Arms will be with me for most of the shows taking donations for some great donated prizes. 

If you can't make one of the shows but would like to contribute to our goal and to the cause - you can donate right here on this page and the money raised will go directly to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy towards our goal. No donation is too small and we appreciate your support in any way. If you can't make a show or a donation no worries, you can still help spread the word and repost this fundraising page or the tour info to your social media accounts, it would be a huge help in our efforts to make this tour a success and to help end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Tour dates and more info below.

Thanks for your support!
Brian Marquis & Spaghetti Arms


For more information on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and to visit: www.SpaghettiArms.org  or www.ParentProjectMD.org/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/spaghettiarmsdmd
Instagram: www.instagram.com/spaghettiarmsdmd
Twitter: www.twitter.com/spaghettiarmsmd


TOUR PRESS RELEASE:


BRIAN MARQUIS ANNOUNCES CHARITY BIKE TOUR
RAISING AWARENESS FOR DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

AUG 12 - This September, indie-folk artist Brian Marquis will head out on a charity bike tour throughout New England to raise awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Marquis will also personally donate all profits made on the tour to the cause.

Marquis shares, "This fall I will be embarking on a tour throughout the northeast, riding a bicycle over 1,200+ miles from city to city playing shows to bring attention to Spaghetti Arms, an organization which aims to raise awareness, fundraise, and support research to end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in early childhood."

He continues, "I have become close to this organization over the past four years and wanted to find a way to help their cause while changing up the standard way I’ve been touring over the years in order to share music and conversation in a different way."

Marquis has just wrapped up the 2015 Vans Warped Tour, where he performed daily in the Acoustic Basement Tent in support of his new release, I Miss The 90's EP. Prior to the two month run throughout North America, Marquis performed on a string of sold out dates supporting The Dear Hunter and Northern Faces.

The EP features five covers of 90s favorites and follows his debut full-length album (of originals) called Blood & Spirits. Marquis' latest music video for his cover of "Say It Ain't So" from the EP, can be seen HERE  now. The song also features guest vocals / appearances by Vinnie Caruana (The Movielife, I Am the Avalanche), Will Noon (fun., Straylight Run) on drums, Julio Tavarez (The Black and The White, As Tall As Lions) on bass, and Doug Grean (Scott Weiland, The Terpsichords) on piano/keyboards.

All upcoming tour dates can be found below.

TOUR DATES

Sep 15 Hamden, CT @ The Space

Sep 17 Brooklyn, NY @ Throne Watches

Sep 19 Albany, NY @ Jack's Place

Sep 22 Winooski, VT @ Monkey House

Sep 25 Bridgewater, NH @ House Show

Sep 27 Portland, ME @ One Longfellow Square

Sep 29 Boston, MA @ Cafe 939

Oct 01 Northampton, MA @ One Bar & Grill

Oct 02 Providence, RI @ The Met

Oct 03 New Milford, CT @ Odd Fellow's Lodge

Tickets and more show info here .