In 2006, a teacher at Sammamish High School, Mitch Leffler, announced that his two year-old son Aidan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Duchenne MD is the number one genetic killer of children in the world. Essentially a degenerative muscle disease, as it progresses, children diagnosed are wheelchair-bound in their teens and die by their early twenties. It is 100% fatal. There is no known cure.
The first Walk For Aidan was held in 2007 and over $18,000 was raised, more than tripling an initial goal of $5,000. Since the Walk for Aidan's inaugural year, we've raised over $150,000 to help Aidan and other kids like him. We've only just begun.
The Walk for Aidan is an entirely student run community-building event designed to raise awareness and funds for Muscular Dystrophy in an effort to help find a cure. Not only do the funds go to research they also help the Lefflers pay for medical bills, a wheelchair and the eventual remodeling of their home to be completely wheelchair-accessible.
More than just a one day fundraiser, the Walk for Aidan has started to symbolize and embody the type of compassionate, empathetic community we pride ourselves on. The Walk isn't about money. It is about the best our city can be. It is about uniting together against insurmountable odds. It is about saving the life of a boy—and many boys and girls like him.
Celebrate life on June 9, 2012 from 3-7 at Sammamish High School! For more information visit
http://www.walkforaidan.org
One love,
Red Shirt Crew 2012