Sanford-Brown Institute - Iselin Raises $11,000 for Ryan&apo...( First Walkat...),Health

First Walkathon to Benefit Muscular Dystrophy Research

Iselin, NJ (PRWEB) August 29, 2008 -- Students, faculty and staff from http://www.sbinj.com [Sanford-Brown Iselin] (SBI), in New Jersey, raised $11,000 for muscular dystrophy research in a first-ever walkathon, last week. Proceeds from the event are in support of local non-profit www.ryansquest.org [Ryan's Quest]. The all-volunteer event was attended by more than 100 walkers, representatives from the local business community and three-year old Ryan Schultz, Ryan's Quest namesake.

"Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a devastating genetic disorder," said Dennis Mascali, president. "Our students, faculty and staff recognized that they could help build awareness and they put a plan in place and carried it through. I am so proud of their accomplishments."

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common lethal genetic disorder diagnosed during early childhood, affecting one out of every 3,500 boys. It is a progressive muscle disorder that causes the loss of muscle function and independence. Typically, boys affected by DMD will lose their ability to walk between the ages of 8 and 14, require respiratory support by their late teens and survive only into their 20s. To date, there is no cure.

Ryan's Quest is a non-profit organization that was founded by David and Maria Schultz after learning of their two-year old son's recent diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. "The sole purpose of organization is to raise awareness and funding for research that has the greatest promise of saving Ryan and other boys with DMD," said David Schultz. "We can't do that alone. The Sanford-Brown team was a great partner and we appreciate their leadership."