World Duchenne Awareness Day

World Duchenne Awareness Day was started by the Duchenne World Organization to educate the public about this disease. Another name for the disease is muscular dystrophy. It turns out that people know very little about the disease. The cause of this pathology is mutations in the dystrophin genes. As a result, patients cannot study well, get injured often, and have a characteristic gait. In everyday life, such people cannot function normally, so we must understand how to help them and make life easier.

History

The disease is named after the doctor who first described the pathology and then studied it, Dr. Duchenne de Boulogne. Another well-known name for this pathology is DMD. In addition, Duchenne discovered the relationship between dystrophy and brain damage. But the cause of dystrophy was discovered only a hundred years later, the discovery was made by doctors Eric Hoffman and Louis Kunkel. They proved that dystrophy was provoked by mutations in the dystrophin gene.

Interesting Facts

• Initially, there was no treatment for dystrophy patients, so people were sent home, where relatives took care of them.
• Sometimes non-invasive ventilation was used, which helped to prolong the life of the patient.
• Muscular dystrophy is a dangerous genetic disease. It is important that everyone is aware of this and understands what to do.
• Why September 7th? The fact is that there are 79 exons in the Duchenne gene, which is why 7 and 9.
• In DMD, the muscles are missing a specific protein that is also missing from the brain.

How to take part

Learn more about the disease, why it occurs, what happens in the body, and how to help the patient. Try to share information on social networks and spread information, maybe it will help someone. Today, you can express your support online – place thematic banners and post press releases. Become a volunteer and help patients.

When is World Duchenne Awareness Day in 2023?

World Duchenne Awareness Day is observed on September 7 each year.

Observations