Fundraising initiative dedicated to the Global Duchenne Community

Why did you start this fundraiser?
I have a close relative who is affected by DMD. I am aware of the physical, emotional, and
societal hardships and challenges this person and his family go through. There is a lack of
awareness and education about this condition and its problems. There are numerous areas where
we can enhance the lives of children and families affected by DMD. These include empowering
them in their lives, fostering their self-esteem and individuality in schools and in the society,
ensuring their inclusion among peers, and, most importantly, providing them with the highest
quality of life possible.
We also have to advance research and novel therapies so that we can improve support, life
expectancy, and, hopefully, find a remedy for this condition in the future. As it has shown with my
attempt, a fundraiser can give DMD and the World Duchenne Organization a wider visibility. It
would also inspire and bring new supporters together for this cause. It also appeared to me that
fundraising can be tied up with a fun challenge that would attract the attention of many of my
friends and family, and therefore more awareness about DMD.

Why did you choose WDO?
As a doctor, I practise evidence-based medicine. Also, I strongly believe that shared decisionmaking
is key to modern healthcare and patient welfare. I found that WDO’s approach to its work
includes both these vital components. Additionally, I understood that WDO’s work starts from the
experiences and knowledge of the people and families affected by DMD. WDO is best placed to
disseminate that knowledge across different parts of the world through its wide network of
national organisations.
I live in the UK, but I also have family and friends spread all around the globe. I wanted to
fundraise for an organisation that has a global reach.

How did you organize the fundraiser and who supported you?
I teamed up with Step Up Charity in Glasgow for my fundraiser. Step Up Charity organised a
ballroom dance competition at which 11 professional ballroom dancers were paired up with 11
amateur dance partners, including me. I trained in ballroom dancing with my professional dance
partner for almost ten weeks. I also raised funds towards WDO from friends and family during
this time. I then performed at the Step Up Charity 2025 Dance Contest at Double Tree Hilton,
Glasgow, on 7 June. Approximately 570 guests attended this event, raising a substantial amount
of funds. This amount was subsequently split proportionately among the contestants’ charities.
My split was added to my fundraiser, bringing my total fundraising amount to £4501.

How important is it to promote access to care for Duchenne around the world?
A diagnosis of DMD is devastating to the affected families. Early diagnosis needs public
awareness of the condition. This, in turn, helps the affected family to avail themselves of
supportive measures promptly. Moreover, I suspect many families suffer in silence once they get
the diagnosis. Awareness and education are key to optimal management. For instance, families
may not be aware that psychosocial support for the affected child, their siblings, and parents
carries equal importance to physical and medical support that affected people need. Families
need to know the importance of support groups, and they should be encouraged to actively
network for collective experiences. By raising public awareness about DMD, we can better
include and empower individuals affected by this condition, enabling them to live fulfilling lives.
Nations need to improve public attitudes towards affected individuals and also infrastructure for
physical access and assistance.