Supporting Tucker Strong
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On February 2nd, four days before Tucker's 2nd birthday, we received the devastating news that Tucker has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This came as a horrific shock, as Tucker doesn’t show any symptoms of the disease. We watch him run, climb, and play with his sister and friends, just like every other 2 year old, but now we know that his muscles are slowly breaking down, and not repairing themselves the same way other 2 year olds do. Tucker's a beautiful little boy with an amazing sense of humor and a smile that lights up a room. He’s extremely witty, and is constantly making his big sister, Zoe, or his Mommy and Daddy, the brunt of whatever he has schemed up. He carries a genuine kindness and sweetness that words can not describe. Tucker became a big brother on April 26th to a baby boy named Beaudoin, and he's best friends with his 3 year old big sister Zoe, who watches over him only the way a big sister can.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in children, affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 live male births (about 20,000 new cases each year). Because the DMD gene is found on the X-chromosome, it primarily affects boys. Duchenne results in progressive loss of strength and is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes for dystrophin, a protein the keeps muscle cells intact. Because dystrophin is absent, the muscle cells are easily damaged, and unable to regenerate. The progressive muscle weakness leads to serious medical problems, particularly issues relating to the heart and lungs. Boys usually lose the ability to walk by the age of 12, and have severe cardiac and respiratory complications, eventually leading to death by the time they reach their mid-twenties.
Children with Duchenne begin to develop completely normally, both physically and cognitively, hitting all their milestones, and the disease usually goes unnoticed through the early years of childhood, so a diagnosis of Duchenne comes as a total shock. You go from having hopes of your children living long lives and having a family of their own, to hopes of your sweet boy being able to play soccer while he still can, or being able to breathe on his own. The horrible disease destroys everything in its path. As of today, no boy has survived this disease, and it’s 100% fatal. Until recently, there was no hope.
Although, the tides are changing, and these rough waters are on the brink of a promising calm. Tucker is being treated and cared for at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Our family makes the trip from Boston out to Columbus as a group of doctors at Nationwide have discovered a treatment that may save Tucker's life. The treatment they have developed works on mice and cultured human cells outside of the body, and is thought to enter clinical trials within the next 3 years. Their work is supported 100% by donation and grants, and is the one thing that will save our little boy. Right now it's a race against time for Tucker. Not only will your donations go to support the cost of Tucker's medical bills, treatment and travel expenses, but it will also go to supporting the continued development of this treatment and will offer our little boy a chance at life. Thank you for taking the time to hear Tucker's story, and supporting him in his fight against Duchenne.
Tucker's Mom & Dad
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in children, affecting approximately 1 in every 3,500 live male births (about 20,000 new cases each year). Because the DMD gene is found on the X-chromosome, it primarily affects boys. Duchenne results in progressive loss of strength and is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes for dystrophin, a protein the keeps muscle cells intact. Because dystrophin is absent, the muscle cells are easily damaged, and unable to regenerate. The progressive muscle weakness leads to serious medical problems, particularly issues relating to the heart and lungs. Boys usually lose the ability to walk by the age of 12, and have severe cardiac and respiratory complications, eventually leading to death by the time they reach their mid-twenties.
Children with Duchenne begin to develop completely normally, both physically and cognitively, hitting all their milestones, and the disease usually goes unnoticed through the early years of childhood, so a diagnosis of Duchenne comes as a total shock. You go from having hopes of your children living long lives and having a family of their own, to hopes of your sweet boy being able to play soccer while he still can, or being able to breathe on his own. The horrible disease destroys everything in its path. As of today, no boy has survived this disease, and it’s 100% fatal. Until recently, there was no hope.
Although, the tides are changing, and these rough waters are on the brink of a promising calm. Tucker is being treated and cared for at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Our family makes the trip from Boston out to Columbus as a group of doctors at Nationwide have discovered a treatment that may save Tucker's life. The treatment they have developed works on mice and cultured human cells outside of the body, and is thought to enter clinical trials within the next 3 years. Their work is supported 100% by donation and grants, and is the one thing that will save our little boy. Right now it's a race against time for Tucker. Not only will your donations go to support the cost of Tucker's medical bills, treatment and travel expenses, but it will also go to supporting the continued development of this treatment and will offer our little boy a chance at life. Thank you for taking the time to hear Tucker's story, and supporting him in his fight against Duchenne.
Tucker's Mom & Dad
Organizer
Alben Belliveau
Organizer
Marshfield Hills, MA