Sarah Burgess Launches New “Run Away” Video Inspired by her Brother and Other Boys Who Live With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., January 28, 2014 – Sarah Burgess, singer-songwriter and contestant on the sixth season of American Idol, launches a behind-the-scenes video for her new song “Run Away” today to benefit CureDuchenne, a national nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The Run Away Project was inspired by Burgess’ 7-year-old brother Jacob who lives with Duchenne – a progressive muscle-wasting disease. Boys with Duchenne are usually diagnosed by the age of 5, are in a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive their mid-20s.

“My brother and all the boys who live with Duchenne are my inspiration,” said Burgess. “Every day their muscles get weaker and weaker but they don’t let their disease define who they are. They are brave boys and young men who deserve a chance to live productive lives. The song ‘Run Away’ is dedicated to those impacted with Duchenne and their families to provide hope for a cure.”   

The behind-the-scenes video shows the making of the “Run Away” music video that features Burgess and the Wolf family from Broadview Heights, Ohio. Jack Wolf, 14, lives with Duchenne and is in the music video. All the royalties for “Run Away” will benefit CureDuchenne. “Run Away” can be downloaded through iTunes and other popular digital music retailers (www.smarturl.it/BuyRunAway).

“Please help us find a cure for Duchenne now to help this generation of those impacted with Duchenne,” said Burgess. “Currently, there are no treatments for Duchenne. CureDuchenne is funding promising research to find a cure for Duchenne.”

For more information on CureDuchenne go to www.cureduchenne.org or call 949-872-2552. To donate to CureDuchenne go to www.cureduchenne.org/RunAway.

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Burgess can be contacted on Facebook and Twitter, or through her website (www.sarahburgessmusic.com).

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.

About Sarah

Sarah Burgess is a singer/songwriter and former American Idol (season six) contestant. The Pennsylvania resident released her first album, One, in 2008, followed by her newest effort, Just Me, of which she co-wrote nearly all of the tracks, in May 2013. Internationally, she was a finalist – and the first American competitor – in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, and has recently completed her fifth tour of Europe.

Currently, she is partnering with nonprofit CureDuchenne (cureduchenne.org) to raise awareness and find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Her song “Run Away,” written for her 7-year-old brother, Jacob, who was diagnosed with the degenerative disease a year ago, will be featured in a video campaign by the organization, including PSAs. All proceeds of “Run Away” will go to CureDuchenne to fund research.

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