September 7th is World Duchenne Awareness Day (WDAD). Each year, an annual campaign aims to increase awareness of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. WDAD raises awareness and inspires action to improve the lives of people living with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. The World Duchenne Awareness Day 2023 theme is ‘Duchenne: Breaking Barriers’. With this theme, WDAD supports creating a society that provides equal opportunities for all. This year we organize the 10th edition.
People living with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) face physical, healthcare and social barriers. This severely limits their ability to participate fully in community life and activities.
On September 7th we call on you to take on responsibility and help break down barriers for people living with DMD/BMD. Only together as a society can we create an inclusive society and build a better future. Some examples of topics aimed at breaking down barriers in DMD include:
On September 7, the World Duchenne Organization will launch a WDAD documentary that portrays the lives of people living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy across the globe and how they are each breaking barriers in their personal lives.
Using storytelling techniques, the organization aims to provide insight into the barriers someone living with this rare condition may face, and provide encouraging and inspiring ways to overcome these challenges.
We urge everyone to share the theme with the wider community. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society for people living with dystrophinopathies. Factsheets on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy and Females with dystrophinopathies can help in sharing reliable and up to date information about the condition.
In addition to organizing an event or conference to raise awareness and educate people on Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, official promo materials can be used to raise awareness for breaking barriers in DMD/BMD. These materials include banners, visuals, key facts and stories. People living with the disease are invited to share their story on breaking barriers in their personal life. Another activity that people can do to raise awareness is to illuminate a landmark in red on September 7.
For more information about Duchenne muscular dystrophy and the World Duchenne Organization, please visit worldduchenne.org and worldduchenneday.org
For inquiries, please contact:
Suzie-Ann Bakker
World Duchenne Organization
suzieann.bakker@worldduchenne.org
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a rare disorder that causes muscles to become weaker over time until it affects the whole body. Approximately one in every 5.000 boys is born with the disease. It is caused by a mutation on the X-chromosome, that is why mainly males are affected. First walking becomes difficult, then other motor functions follow and ultimately it affects the ability to breathe as well as the function of the heart, as the heart is a muscle too. The missing protein also has a function in the brain, so learning- and behavior issues can also be part of the disease. Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) is considered to be a less severe form of DMD.
World Duchenne Awareness Day (WDAD) is an annual event held on September 7. WDAD is a global event aimed at raising awareness about Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. The day promotes education, advocacy, and social inclusion initiatives to improve the quality of life for people living with dystrophinopathies. Secondly, it is providing a platform to share personal stories and experiences of those living with the disease.
Published on 15 August 2023.
