About Calvin, Duchenne and the Jett Foundation For Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Calvin was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, when he was 5 years old. Duchenne is the #1 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 rapidly loose abiliity of all muscle function. The Respiratory system is affected and the heart eventually fails as it is a muscle too. Most boys with Duchenne do not live beyond their 20's. There is no cure or treatment to alter the course of this disease. It affects 1 in 3500 boys. On a positive note, this is the most exciting time ever for Duchenne research and there are very promissing treatments on the horizon. The time is ripe to support this research and push it to successful drug development and FDA approvals.
Calvin’s parents, Cindy and Curt Quitzau, have found tremendous support by working with the Jett Foundation and Christine McSherry who, after her son Jett was diagnosed, started the foundation dedicated to fighting this devastating disease. The Jett Foundation, in collaboration with Mass General Hospital opened a new multidisciplinary coordinated care clinic dedicated to helping boys with DMD. This clinic and the Jett Program for Pediatric Neuromuscular Diseases (JPPND) is the first of its kind in New England. The foundation also supports cutting edge research to fight this disease. Our Gals for Cal fundraising supports this work in hope that Calvin and all the boys living with Duchenne will live longer, healthier lives.
Learn more about the Jett Foundation For Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
