Newport Beach, Calif., Feb. 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CureDuchenne, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds research to cure Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has launched an online fundraising gift store provided by Phil’s Shops in time for Valentine’s Day. The online store offers flowers, cookies and cakes, fruit baskets, award winning hot sauces, candles and an array of picnic baskets. A significant portion of the purchase price is donated directly to CureDuchenne. CureDuchenne is one of the first nonprofits to participate in this new fundraising gift store.
Duchenne is a devastating muscle disease that affects more than 300,000 boys worldwide. Boys are usually diagnosed by the age of 5, in a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive their mid-20s. CureDuchenne is leading the charge to find treatment and a cure for Duchenne.
"CureDuchenne is always looking for creative ways to raise funds to find a cure for Duchenne," said Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne. "Our fundraising store offers consumers an opportunity to feel good about the gifts they purchase because they know that in addition to buying a gift for a loved one or friend they are also giving hope to young boys that have Duchenne."
Additional gift options will be added to the site monthly. In addition to Valentine’s Day, the gifts are perfect for birthdays, house warming, Easter, Mother’s Day and other occasions. Gifts are sent along with a gift message directly from the store to recipients and every purchase generates a donation that goes directly to CureDuchenne.
CureDuchenne, a national nonprofit organization located in Newport Beach, Calif., is gaining international attention for its efforts to raise funds and awareness for Duchenne - a devastating and lethal muscle disease in children. One in every 3,500 male births results in a child being afflicted with the disease. More than 24,000 boys are living with the disease in the United States alone, and most will not survive their mid-20s.
The funds CureDuchenne raises support the most promising research projects aimed at treating and curing the disease with the help of its distinguished panel of Scientific Advisors from around the world. To date, seven research projects have made their way into human clinical trials with support from CureDuchenne. This accelerated push to move research from the lab into clinical trials could save the lives of those afflicted and give them hope for halting the progress of the disease. Very few health-related nonprofits have been as successful in being a catalyst for human clinical trials.
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