Everest to End Duchenne

I’m about to do something BIG and I need your help! In 2019, I met Tonya Dreher through my fiancé, Kent. Kent and Tonya had been the best of friends for many years and I was so grateful to be so warmly accepted into the fold and even more grateful that I have gained such a beautiful friend!

While visiting with Tonya and her family, I learned about her youngest son Gus. Gus was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was only 4 years old. DMD is a progressive muscle-wasting disorder that affects every muscle in the body. This disease affects mainly boys and is fatal with a life expectancy of 30 years or less. Boys affected by this disease lose muscle function very quickly and are in wheelchairs by the time they are 10-12 years old. Unfortunately, this was the case for Gus who is now 18. I don’t know Gus very well but what I do know about him is that he has the sunniest disposition. He is kind, funny and eager to engage in the people and world around him. He is hoping to go to college and his parents are working on a strategy to make that happen!

When Tonya was given this devastating news, she realized her life had taken a drastic turn and that she must’ve been made for something more. She started the Hope for Gus Foundation and soon after, she started Everest to End Duchenne

Both of these organizations were formed to raise awareness of DMD and also raise funds to find a cure. The research is very promising but we need to raise awareness to give it the attention it deserves. More research and Preliminary trials also need more funding. When I heard about Everest to End Duchenne, I got so excited! I have always wanted to go to Nepal. I can’t imagine the magnificence of Everest in real life-and to HIKE TO BASE CAMP?! Now I have my reason. Now I have my WHY. The thousands of people who live with Duchenne will never be able to make this trek. But I can. I can do it for them. I can send my prayers for a cure off into the wind on a thread from a prayer flag. I can read the names of thousands affected by this disease off of the flag we plan to bring with us. I can tell people about DMD to raise awareness and I can start a go fund me page to ask for your help to raise money for a cure.

I have committed to join Tonya and our team this September! We will be hiking over 100 miles and to 18,000 feet-through the most stunning landscapes!!! Kent and I had planned to do this together but it wasn’t in the cards for us. He passed away in October 2021. I know he will be all around us.

Please find it in your heart to donate to this important cause. My goal is to raise $5,000 and every penny goes to research for a cure. Gus and others like him are counting on it.

Thank you so much and SO much love to you!

Betsy Pfleger

https://hopeforgus.org/

https:// everesttoendduchenne.org/