Community Members to Climb Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside to Raise Funds to Find a Cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Community members will climb Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside on June 23 at 8 a.m. as part of the annual “Climb to CureDuchenne: Pick Your Peak” event happening nationwide. People across the country are climbing a mountain, hill or tall building to increase awareness and raise funds to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. CureDuchenne, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds research to cure Duchenne muscular dystrophy, organized the event.

Duchenne is a devastating muscle disease that affects 1 in 3,500 boys. Boys are usually diagnosed by the age of 5, in a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive their mid-20s. The funds raised for Climb to CureDuchenne support the most promising research projects aimed at treating and curing Duchenne.

Moreno Valley resident and Altura Credit Union employee Rhiannon Ramkissoon organized the Climb to CureDuchenne in Riverside and created “Team Altura: Carter’s Climbers” to raise much needed funding for scientific research to find a cure for Duchenne. Ramkissoon’s son Carter, 8, was diagnosed with Duchenne at the age of 3.   

“When Carter was diagnosed we had never head of Duchenne,” said Ramkissoon. “The money we raise will fund research that can make a real difference in the life of my son and the many other boys with Duchenne. Research is advancing fast, but needs funding.”

The climb will begin at Altura Credit Union at 3451 14^th Street in Riverside. The walk is a 5-mile loop suitable for all fitness levels and is stroller/wheelchair accessible. To join “Team Altura: Carter’s Climbers,” click here. To donate to Climb to CureDuchenne, click here. 

About 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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