How far would you go to help someone in need? I am willing to go 1,500 miles and I ask you to please sponsor me along this journey.

This is an exciting, life changing, adventure that I will be embarking upon this summer. While most of my friends will be at the mall or the beach, I will be joining a group of young people who will proudly bike 1,500 miles across the country to help raise funds and awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a devastating, progressive neuromuscular disorder which robs those diagnosed of their independence and eventually their life.

This event is called JettRide 2011. From July 5th to August 5th, our team will bike through 8 states and numerous cities/towns. The ride will take off in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and will end in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. I want to be a JettRider for my friend, Jett McSherry and others.  This is an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to serve, raise money, and raise awareness of DMD to find a cure.  

I plan to raise $10,000 for this event.  You never know how much it will take for a cure, so I am going to try my hardest to raise as much money as possible!

I couldn't imagine the sorrow and struggle for family and friends of those who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy.  All I can do is help.

What is Duchenne? Duchenne is the most common lethal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood today. It is a progressive neuromuscular disorder that causes loss of muscle function and independence. DMD affects approximately 1 in every 3,500 boys, or 20,000 babies born each year worldwide. Because the DMD gene is found on the X chromosome, the disorder manifests primarily in boys. DMD affects families of every race and culture. Regardless of family history, DMD can occur in any pregnancy. Random spontaneous genetic mutation is the cause of DMD in nearly 35% of families affected. No known effective treatment or cure currently exists for DMD.

The Jett Foundation for Duchenne muscular dystrophy was founded in 2001 by Stephen and Christine McSherry, when their son, Jett McSherry, then 5 years old, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The mission of the Jett Foundation is to improve the treatment, quality of life and long term outlook for all individuals affected by DMD through research advocacy, education and compassion. After nine years of steady progress in the fight against this dreadful disease, the Jett Foundation is known throughout the country as a leader, funding promising research and as a strong advocate in this battle.

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. But if you'd rather send a check, please make it out to the Jett Foundation and mail to 42 Elm Street, Suite 3, Kingston, MA  02364 with Colby Chase written in the memo.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!