CureDuchenne Founder Debra Miller is a Panelist at the California Women’s Conference

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.  May 16, 2014 – CureDuchenne Founder and CEO Debra Miller is a panelist at the California Women’s Conference on May 19 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Miller will participate in a panel called “A New Approach to Non-Profit Impact.” She will speak about venture philanthropy and how CureDuchenne has created a successful business model to help accelerate Duchenne research.

Miller founded CureDuchenne, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, when her only son was diagnosed with Duchenne. Duchenne is a progressive muscle-wasting disease that impacts 1 in 3,500 boys. Boys with Duchenne are usually diagnosed by 5, in a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive their mid-20s. Currently, there is no approved treatment for Duchenne.

Miller founded CureDuchenne because no other organization was focused exclusively on funding research to find a cure for Duchenne. During the past 10 years, CureDuchenne created a successful venture philanthropy model that has enabled the nonprofit to leverage $100 million from biotech and pharmaceutical companies to fund promising Duchenne research. To date, CureDuchenne has funded seven research projects that have advanced to human clinical trials. This is a unique accomplishment as few health-related nonprofits have been as successful in being a catalyst for human clinical trials with limited resources and in such a short amount of time. 

The California Women’s Conference offers its attendees inspiration, resources, and connections to take the next step in business, personal development, health and wellness, or philanthropic endeavors. Featuring widely respected thought leaders, talented entertainers, and a marketplace of ideas, exhibits, networking and panel discussions, the conference is designed to benefit women from all walks of life. Keynote speakers this year include Arianna Huffington, Jane Pauley and Jack Canfield.

Follow CureDuchenne on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About CureDuchenne
CureDuchenne is a national nonprofit organization located in Newport Beach, Calif., dedicated to finding a cure for Duchenne, the most common and most lethal form of muscular dystrophy. As the leading genetic killer of young boys, Duchenne affects more than 300,000 boys worldwide. CureDuchenne has garnered international attention for its efforts to raise funds and awareness for Duchenne through venture philanthropy. With the help of CureDuchenne’s distinguished international panel of Scientific Advisors, funds raised by CureDuchenne support the most promising research aimed at treating and curing Duchenne. To date, seven CureDuchenne research projects have made their way into human clinical trials – a unique accomplishment as few health-related nonprofits have been as successful in being a catalyst for human clinical trials.

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