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We Row For William: 157 Miles, One Nonstop Journey of Hope

via Business Wire

Father and Crew to Row 157 Miles Continuously to Fund Lifesaving Gene Therapy for His Son

On April 25, Joe Jackson and a dedicated crew of men including Jeremy Leever and Shaun Olson will embark on an extraordinary nonstop, overnight rowing journey covering 157 miles of the Rogue River to raise awareness and critical funds for his son, William Jackson, who is battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

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What typically takes 10 days, Joe and his crew will complete in a single, grueling push, symbolizing the urgency of finding a cure for this relentless disease. The Rogue River is one of the nation’s most famous whitewater.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a progressive, life-limiting genetic disorder that causes muscle degeneration and weakness. To save William and other boys like him, the Jackson family is urgently working to raise $2.2 million to complete development of a CRISPR-based gene therapy. This drug development effort is spearheaded by Cure Rare Disease, a nonprofit biotech pioneering genetic treatment for ultra-rare diseases.

Their first crucial milestone is $800,000 by May 1, a goal they can reach if all 157 miles of this journey are sponsored.

“This is a race against time,” said Joe Jackson. “Rowing 157 miles straight is nothing compared to what William faces every day. We’re doing this to give him and other boys like him a real chance at life.”

How to Get Involved: WeRowForWilliam.org

  • Sponsor a Mile: Each mile sponsored brings William closer to his first fundraising goal.
  • Donate: Every contribution supports the development of a life-saving gene therapy.
  • Spread the Word: Share William’s story and help make an impact.

Every dollar raised will directly fund the development of a first-of-its-kind CRISPR-based gene therapy for William and others fighting Duchenne.

To sponsor a mile, donate, or learn more, visit WeRowForWilliam.org/raiselysite.com or contact Brittany Stineman at Brittany@curerd.org.

About Cure Rare Disease

The mission of Cure Rare Disease is to develop and fund life-saving genetic therapies for ultra-rare diseases, transforming the lives of patients previously deemed untreatable. By fostering strategic collaborations among top researchers, clinicians, policy experts, and donors, Cure Rare Disease brings hope and advances solutions for those awaiting a cure.

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