RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A Raleigh family is working to raise awareness of the incurable condition that affects their 8-year-old son.
They’re hosting a pickleball tournament to support him and other children with Duchenne Muscular dystrophy.
Five years ago, Nathan Foster received a devastating diagnosis.
“Your worst nightmare,” explained his mom, Misty. “You have a kid, and you expect that they’re going to be healthy.”
Instead, Brad and Misty Foster learned their son has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive and terminal genetic disorder that causes muscles to break down.
“As a parent, you grieve the life that you kind of thought your child would have,” said Misty. “On the other hand, there are a lot of advances coming out right now with Duchenne. And there are new treatments available.”
Nathan has taken part in two clinical trials, and the Fosters are grateful to live in an area with access to some of the country’s best medical facilities. They want to support research into new treatments and help more people learn about the rare condition.
“There’s still people today – even part of our circle – that we mention Duchenne and they’re like, “What is that?'” Brad Foster said.
A pickleball tournament in Durham next month aims to change that. It’s called Dinking for Duchenne. A couple of years ago the Fosters started the event, which raises money for the nonprofit Cure Duchenne cureduchenne.org as well as Nathan’s medical bills.
But the Fosters say the tournament’s biggest goal is raising awareness.
“If we can share with the 150 or 200 people that play, and then they each go tell a friend that they played in this tournament and this is what Duchenne is, we’ve created more awareness for it,” Brad said.
The Fosters are thankful for a supportive community, and that people playing in the tournament want to learn more about Nathan and others dealing with Duchenne.
“It means the world to us,” Brad said. “There are people who have been with us since the beginning, and their support has not wavered; there are people we’ve just recently met and they’re like ‘What can I do? How can I help?'”
They hope that support will ultimately lead people to donate to organizations like Cure Duchenne that support research, so that one day Duchenne may not be so devastating.
“At this point, we’re more hopeful than we are sad,” Misty said.
The tournament, Dinking for Duchenne, takes place September 21 and 22 at Piney Wood Park in Durham. To find out more about Nathan’s story or to register for the tournament, click here https://www.nbfcure44.com/
