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  • The students, faculty and volunteers for Evan’s Cause raised more than $1,600 for Cure Duchenne’s. Courtesy photo

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February 7, 2012

Students raise funds for Evan’s Cause

Misty Ward Suwannee Democrat

Branford — Red faces, jump ropes and h-o-r-s-e, plus the 50 some After-School and National Honor Society students equals $1,600 for Cure Duchenne’s.

Branford High After-School students and National Honor Society students worked together last week to raise funds for Cure Duchenne’s, research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The event was Evan’s Cause and students participated in more than an hour long triathlon which consisted of walking, jumping rope and shooting hoops, which was equally distributed between the three events.

BHS media specialist Karen Koon said the purpose of the triathlon was to not only raise funds and awareness for DMD, but to teach the students to “step out side of themselves” which she says is difficult for middle and high school students.

“It also taught leadership skills and character education. This was a win-win situation all the way around,” Koon said. “The students were so caught up in how good it felt to be a part of something. They felt good about giving. They realized how good it made them feel. They have already asked when they could do it again.”

Evan’s Cause was named after Evan Procko, of O’Brien. Evan Procko was diagnosed with a rare muscle disorder called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) on March 23, 2008. There is currently no cure for DMD. Life expectancy for boys with DMD is late teens to early 20s. The loss of muscle mass starts in the legs and works its way up through the body.

Evan’s mom, Kimberly, and his older brother Billy, were at the event to support the students.

“I really thought this was amazing. You have no idea how much we appreciate what you are doing today,” Kimberly Procko said to the students after the event was completed. “Today is the first day that Evan is getting the treatment for DMD. Scientists know what they need to do to fix it, but it requires money to get to that point. Your small part matters, it matters because of people like you doing fund raisers. Thank you for doing this today. It means so much to us.”

According to Koon, the students’ goal was to raise $500, but before the event was over, the group already raised $1,126. By Monday afternoon, the total was more than $1,600.

“Hopefully you will be inspired to continue helping people,” Kimberly Procko said.

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