World Duchenne Awareness Day

Global awareness day for Duchenne and Becker MD

In 2013, a group of dreamers from World Duchenne Organization began to imagine a day dedicated to raising awareness about Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. A day on which, all over the world, a symbolic gesture would be made that would be transported everywhere.

The date, 7 September (7/9) is a reference to the 79 exons of the Duchenne gene. The balloon is chosen as symbol to fly Duchenne out of this world. This led to the involving the Duchenne community in every corner of the world, that helps to choose a specific theme to attract everyone’s attention.

Over the years, more countries and organizations are becoming involved, and in 2023 the United Nations officially designated September 7th as World Duchenne Awareness Day. World Duchenne Awareness Day managed to raise general awareness, and specific topics for the Duchenne community. The European Parliament, Pope, and many other famous people recognize the value of this global event.

Visit the WDAD site

worldduchenneday.org

Past activities on World Duchenne Awareness Day

2025: Family, the heart of care

Documentary highlighting how love, community, and determination shape life with Duchenne

2024: Raise your voice for Duchenne

Documentary sharing the stories of three individuals from different corners of the world

2023: Breaking Barriers

Documentary sharing how people living with DMD/BMD are each breaking barriers in their lives

2022: Women & Duchenne

Educational conference where we highlight all the aspects connected with Duchenne and the female world.

2021: Adult Life & Duchenne

World Duchenne Awareness Day 2021 theme: Duchenne adults living their lives to the fullest.

2020: Duchenne and the Brain

Livestream where experts share their knowledge on DMD/BMD and learning and behavioral issues.

2020: Together we are stronger

Promo video for WDAD 2020 to raise global awareness for Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy.

2019: Nutrition in DMD

Information to increase understanding of nutrition and supplement use in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

2019: Bring Your Light

A global collaboration of Duchenne families to raise awareness on DMD and BMD in the general public.

2018: Standards of Care

Making Duchenne Care information accessible for as many people as possible and more specific for children as well.

2017: Duchenne Dreams

By telling the dreams of the DMD boys worldwide it was possible to inform and involve the civil society to be part of this commitment for a better future.

2016: Early Diagnosis

The third edition of WDAD was focused on early diagnosis: identifying and communicating early signs of Duchenne in order to guarantee a good quality of life to the children.

2015: Duchenne Stories

By telling the dreams of the DMD boys worldwide it was possible to inform and involve the civil society to be part of this commitment for a better future.

2014: Faces of Duchenne

For the first edition of the World Duchenne Awareness Day in 2014, it was essential to explain to the civil society what is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, what does it mean to live with this disease day by day.