UMass Medical School Works To Ease Challenge Of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

WORCESTER (CBS) — Caring for a child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy can be incredibly challenging, but thanks to a local family’s philanthropy and a local medical school’s commitment, treatment is becoming easier for patients and their families. At just over a year old, Diego Ramirez was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or DMD, a progressive genetic disorder in boys that leads to muscle breakdown. “His muscles felt a little tighter for me, and I felt he was delayed in his development,” said Diego’s mom, Leslie Guzman. Most boys with DMD lose the ability to walk by age 12 and over time, develop a host of other health problems, requiring families to invest large amounts of time and money shuttling from specialist to specialist. Tracy Seckler’s son, Charley, was diagnosed with DMD at age four. They traveled all the way to Cincinnati for comprehensive care. “Then there are the other people who unfortunately don’t have the means or the availability to travel far away,” said Tracy. Tracy and her husband established Charley’s Fund, a non-profit which has enabled UMass Medical School to open a new program designed specifically for patients with DMD. “As a mom, I’ve always known that there was something missing here in the Northeast, “ explained Tracy. Dr. Brenda Wong is one of the country’s preeminent DMD experts and the program’s director. “We provide them with this medical home for coordinating care ...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Boston News Health Healthwatch Syndicated CBSN Boston Syndicated Local Dr. Mallika Marshall Duchenne muscular dystrophy Source Type: news