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JETT FOUNDATION MOVIE PREMIER
On February 5, 2010 The Jett Foundation of Kingston, MA hosted a movie premiere featuring the JettRide Documentary to 100 special VIP guests at the Jones River Trading Company in Kingston. This film, which has won several film festival awards, documents a transcontinental bike ride by 24 teens who rode 3,800 miles to raise funds and awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Christine McSherry, Founder of the Jett Foundation, gave a special acknowledgement to Quinn Sullivan of Sullivan Brothers Auto Mall for his generous contribution to the 2007 JettRide. Christine McSherry also announced that the Jett Foundation will once again organize another JettRide this summer beginning in San Francisco, CA and ending in Point Pleasant, NJ.
ABOUT JETTRIDE 2010
JettRide 2010 is a follow-up to the 2007 JettRide in which 24 young people cycled cross country for an experience of a lifetime and to benefit the Jett Foundation. These teens rode for those who could not ride themselves and raised awareness of this deadly disease across the entire country. The 2010 JettRide plans to build on the momentum which began in 2007 by organizing another group of young people, who have a personal connection with the DMD community and continue this grass roots fundraising project across America. Our goal is to unite the families and communities affected by DMD nation-wide and raise awareness and funds to eradicate this disorder.
THE RIDE
The JettRide is a fully supported bike-a-thon - with food and water stops, mechanical and medical assistance, luggage transportation and lodging - that will travel through 13 states, stop at over 30 cities/towns and log over 3,700 miles in 9 weeks. Cyclists are required to raise $4,000 to participate in the event. The ride will be limited to 30 participants and will be organized by a professional cycling organization called BIKEternity that offers a life changing experience to teens as well as the DMD community.
About BIKEternity
BIKEternity uses bicycling activities and events to promote fitness, fun and self discipline in young adults ages 11-20. They help kids set and reach goals, teach life skills, promote teamwork and an appreciation for diversity, help others through service projects, and promote environmental awareness through long-distance cycling. Arlen Hall, BIKEternity co-founder, led the JettRide in 2007 and is eager to recruit another team for what promises to be another inspirational and powerful journey. BIKEternity staff have been involved in youth cycling programs since 1998, and have logged more than 40,000 miles of cycling experiences with teens. To learn more about BIKEternity, please visit www.BIKEternity.org
What is their itinerary?
The JettRide will begin on June 24, 2010 in San Francisco, California and will end on August 27th in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. The exact cities and towns are still being coordinated, below is a preliminary itinerary.
6/24 San Francisco, California
Napa, CA
Stockton, CA
Placerville, CA
South Lake, Tahoe, CA
Carson City, NV
Fallon, NV
Austin, NV
Eureka, NV
Ely, NV
Cedar City, UT
Henrieville, UT
Escalante, UT
Blanding, UT
Dolores, CO
Ridgeway, CO
Grand Junction, CO
Glenwood Springs, CO
Dillon, CO
7/23 Denver, CO
Idalia, CO
Atwood, KS
Phillipsburg, KS
Cawker City, KS
Clay Center, KS
Topeka, KS
Kansas City, MO
Sedalia, MO
Huntsdale, MO
McKittrick, MO
St. Charles, MO
St Louis, MO
Centralia, IL
Mt Carmel, IL
Huntingburg, IN
Madison, IN
8/14 Cincinnati, OH
Hillsboro, OH
Chillicothe, OH
Parkersburg, WV
Moundsville, WV
Connellsville, PA
Cumberland, MD
Hagerstown, MD
Gettysburg, PA
Lancaster, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Toms River, NJ
8/27 Point Pleasant, NJ
ABOUT DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common lethal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood. It is a progressive muscle disorder that causes loss of muscle function and independence. Duchenne muscular dystrophy affects approximately one of every 3500 boys or 20,000 babies born each year worldwide. Because the DMD gene is found on the x chromosome, the disorder manifests primarily in boys. DMD affects families of every race and culture. It can occur during any pregnancy regardless of family history. Random spontaneous genetic mutation is the cause of DMD in nearly 35% of families affected. There are approximately 15,000 boys/young men diagnosed with DMD alive today in the United States of America. NO KNOWN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OR CURE CURRENTLY EXISTS FOR DMD
ABOUT JETT FOUNDATION
The Jett Foundation was founded in 2001 by Christine and Steve McSherry when their 5 year old son, Jett, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The Foundation's mission is to improve the treatment, quality of life and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy through research, advocacy, education and compassion. After 9 years of steady progress in the fight against this dreadful disease, the Jett Foundation is known throughout the country as a leader funding promising research and as a strong advocate in this battle. The Jett Foundation is a grassroots organization with a huge impact on the DMD world. Christine McSherry, foundation president, is a tireless advocate for DMD research, DMD boys and their families. In its history, the Jett Foundation has raised millions of dollars for research including ground breaking clinical trials and drug discoveries.
The Jett Foundation has recently invested significant dollars in a drug screening company, Myomics, that is on the cutting edge of some very exiting discoveries! Together, and in conjunction with the world's leading expert on Duchenne, Dr. Brian Tseng of Massachusetts General Hospital, we have identified a new technology that can measure the function of all muscle fibers when compounds/supplements are added. The technology is quick - and considerably less expensive than any other strategies that exist today for Duchenne. These already affordable, accessible compounds, will be combined with supplements, giving us a cocktail of sorts, to slow the progression of this disorder. Already, we have identified several positive "hits" that have proven to strengthen muscle function in vitro. We hope to move these discoveries into clinical trials next year at MGH. Funding this research will not only help extend the life for boys affected with DMD, but also work as a springboard to all other muscle related issues that impact recoveries from cancers, heart attacks, and strokes. Finally, after nine years, the opportunity to positively impact the lifespan of all boys afflicted with DMD is at our fingertips. Research has and continues to be the most important means we have in finding appropriate treatments - and of the tools necessary to continue we have all but one; adequate funding.
The foundation's offices are located in Kingston, Massachusetts. For more information about the Jett Foundation, please visit www.jettfoundation.org or call 781-826-9523.
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