Upcoming Event: Football versus Georgia Tech on October 18, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
Football
vs Georgia Tech
Duke to Take Part in Coach To Cure MD Program Again
9/16/2015 11:17:00 AM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – For the eighth consecutive year, Duke's football coaches will display their support of the Coach To Cure MD program, which will be held during games of Saturday, September 26. The annual effort has raised more than $1.25 dollars to battle Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
On Saturday, September 26, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) members will wear a Coach to Cure MD logo patch on the sidelines. College football fans will be asked to donate to research projects supported by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. to focus solely on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The Coach to Cure MD patches will also be worn on non-Saturday games the same weekend, and teams who do not play will wear the patches during other games throughout the season. Additionally, more than 60 teams will recognize a local Duchenne family on the field before or during the game.
Football fans can donate to Duchenne muscular dystrophy research by either going on-line to www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word CURE to 90999 (a $5 donation will automatically be added to your next phone bill).
Last year, more than 10,000 college coaches at more than 600 institutions participated in Coach to Cure MD events. The seven-year fundraising total (2008-14) is now over $1.25 million.
The Coach to Cure MD logo patches the coaches wear on the sideline are provided by Windswept Marketing, a company with over 50 years heritage in the embroidered emblem and advertising specialty industry. Windswept specializes in helping companies and organizations create custom branding solutions for their corporate branding needs.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood and primarily affects boys of all races and cultures. Boys and young men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy develop progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes loss of mobility, wheelchair dependency and decline in respiratory and cardiac function. Currently, there is no cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and limited therapeutic options exist.
“I am always heartened by the level of support our coaches give Coach to Cure MD,” said Grant Teaff, AFCA executive director. “Not only by wearing the arm patches, but also many coaches invite young men affected by Duchenne MD and their families out to practices and games. It shows them they are truly part of our team as we do what we can to help them in this fight.”
In addition to the coaches efforts, families affected with Duchenne muscular dystrophy will also gather for fundraising tailgate parties on campuses around the country to encourage more fans to get involved.
“For eight years, the AFCA has been partners with PPMD, supporting the Duchenne community be raising awareness every year during Coach to Cure MD, ” said Pat Furlong, founding president and CEO of PPMD. “To say we are grateful is an understatement. By wearing a patch and speaking out about Duchenne, these coaches are helping to shine the spotlight on a rare disease that devastates families as it weakens muscles. Awareness is one of our greatest weapons in the fight to end Duchenne, and the AFCA is our greatest teammate.”
About the AFCA
The American Football Coaches Association was founded in 1922 and is considered the primary professional association for football coaches at all levels of competition. The 11,000-member organization includes more than 90 percent of coaches at the 700-plus schools that sponsor football at the college level. Members include coaches from Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan and Mexico.
About PPMD
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 by parents of children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. The organization's mission is to end Duchenne. We accelerate research, raise our voices in Washington, demand optimal care for all young men and educate the global community. PPMD is headquartered in Middletown, Ohio, with offices in Fort Lee, N.J. For more information, visit www.ParentProjectMD.org.
Coach Diaz Media Availability: Georgia Tech
Wednesday, October 15
Nate Sheppard Media Availability: Georgia Tech
Tuesday, October 14
Chandler Rivers Media Availability: Georgia Tech
Tuesday, October 14
Brian Parker II Media Availability: Georgia Tech
Tuesday, October 14
