Hope For Houston: Running For Duchenne Muscular Distrophy
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Imagine being a parent and the doctor tells you your child won’t live longer than their mid-twenties. That’s the news one Eclectic family is facing and they’re trying to bring awareness to find a cure for the disease that’s shortening his life.
The Sides family is trying to bring awareness to what doctors call the most commonly diagnosed fatal genetic disorder: Duchenne Muscular Distrophy. 7-year-old Houston Sides has the disease, but there is a way you can help bring him one step closer to saving his life.
Houston Sides is a boy with many faces.
“Funny, crazy sometimes!” Said his sister Courtney, vouching for sillyness.
He’s sometimes complimented for his calves of steel — but that’s not exactly what they are. They’re actually one of the signs of the disease he has: Duchenne Muscular Distrophy.
“Normally starts affecting the child’s muscle functions to where they need the use of a wheel chair between 9 and 13 [years old],” Said Houston’s father, Scott Sides.
The average age of losing control of your limbs is 14-years-old. In your twenties, the disease becomes fatal.
“You live every day one day at a time. It’s devestating news, but throughout relationship with Christ, we have found hope that he’s still in control,” Said Sides.
But to beat the ticking clock, they’re needing your help to be part of the search for the cure for Duchenne. A run that could save this little boy’s life.
It’s a 5K, 10K, and 1 mile Fun Run called “Hope For Houston.” All the proceeds go to help children, just like him.
“He’s my only sibling. And he’s someone I can play with and trust,” Said Courtney.
A brother, a son the Sides family is trying to hold on to for as long as they can. While more than 80 research projects in the last year are looking to find a cure, Houston is still just waiting…
“I pray every day that God will grant the researchers wisdom to find a cure,” Said Sides.
So if you want to help Houston, the Hope For Houston run will be on September 27th. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m.
The race will start and end at Wetumpka Middle School. And if you sign up before this Friday, you’ll get a free t-shirt.
5K — $25 (pre-registered); $30 (on-site registration)
10K — $30 (pre-registered); $35 (on-site registration)
1 Mile Fun Run — $25 (pre-registered); $30 (on-site registration)
For more information on the run, go to www.about-time-events.com
For more information on Duchenne Muscular Distrophy, go to www.mda.org
