July 25th, 2010. WE DID IT! The Gals for Cal completed their second successful triathlon! Congratulations to ALL the Gals and a special thanks to those who supported us with encouragement, training and donations. TOGETHER, we will make a difference in the lives of boys with DMD!
Note: With several Offline donations (made by check) our fundraising total donations is well over $34,000!! The total donations above does not reflect all of those made by check. Firstgiving made changes to their software that now allows us to record donor names for those donating offline--however, during the software update, the program has eliminated our previously entered offline donation totals.
THANK YOU for your continued support!
THE GFC STORY Thank you for visiting the Gals for Cal fundraising page! We are a group of women, connected through friendship, raising money to fight Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in honor of an 8 year old boy named Calvin. Together we will participate in the SheROX Women's Triathlon on July 25, 2010. We see it as a way to challenge ourselves, connect with other women, support our friends fighting DMD and most importantly to make a difference in the lives of Calvin, Keelan, Jake, Jett and the 20,000 other young boys like them.
Calvin was diagnosed with DMD, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, when he was 5 years old. Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood. It is a very progressive muscle wasting disease primarily affecting boys. Most boys are wheelchair dependent by age 12 and most do not live beyond their 20's. There is no cure.
Calvin’s parents, Cindy and Curt Quitzau, have found tremendous support with the Jett Foundation and a woman named Christine McSherry who, after her son Jett was diagnosed, started a foundation dedicated to fighting this devastating disease. The Jett Foundation, in collaboration with Mass General Hospital, recently opened a new multidisciplinary coordinated care clinic dedicated to helping boys with DMD. This clinic is the first of its kind in New England. The foundation is also supporting cutting edge research to fight this disorder. Our Gals for Cal fundraising supports this work in hope that Calvin and all the boys living with Duchenne will live longer, healthier lives.
For most of us, this is our 2nd triathlon together. For many of us, this is our first training, ever, and it will be an incredible challenge. For all of us, this is truly inspirational. Calvin is a sweetheart – talkative, witty and the best little hugger you will meet. He has the greatest expressions (mostly from his dad) and will say things like, “Yeah, I’m livin’ large,” after an afternoon of sledding and snowmobiling. Cal, you inspire us to live large every day.
This year's triathlon team is proud to welcome 2 other mother's of young son's with DMD. Kathy Pothier is mom to 2 year old Keelan who was diagnosed with DMD at just 15 months old. And Michelle Parker, mom to Jake who is now 5. Both Kathy and Michelle are learning to live with this devastating news and have committed themselves to helping find treatments and a cure for Duchenne before it is too late for their very young sons. We are honored to have Kathy and Michelle join the team and to have Keelan and Jake for additional inspiration!
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts. Many thanks for your support of the Gals for Cal -- and thanks for caring about and giving hope to Calvin, Keelan, Jake, and all the boys like them.
Thank you for your support!
Warmest regards from the 2010 Gals For Cal, Keelan, and Jake too!
Cindy Quitzau, Kathy Pothier, Michelle Parker, Jordan McSherry, Kathy Stubbs, Susan Robinson, Denise Simmons, Cheryl Stys, Nancy Glendinning, Susie O’Gara, Melanie Edwards, Sheryl Bierden, Marie Kurmin, Jody Bowen, Kim Matheson, Karen Quitzau, Kaitlyn Murray, Ally Tully, Lisa Pratt, Erin Hoesly, Kathy Tata, Theresa Casey, Lara Maher, Stefanie Barry, Claire Behrens, Jen Concannon, Marissa Concannon, Colleen Finn, Casey Finn, Christine Eddy, Joanne O'keef, Denise Mair, Tara Kinevski, Kelly Jung, Jen Miller, Jessica Morrison, Sarah Morrison, Brooke Currier, Laurinda Currier, Marie Gagliard, Barbara Barbolla, Barb Bierden, Katherine Woodward, Kara Connerty, Shannon West, Debra Stacy, Pauline Smith, Lauren Hanley
She Swims, She rides, She runs, She ROX DMD!