Pride, something Coach Jeff McInerney has felt countless times since taking over as head coach for CCSU football, and something he feels every time he talks about the Coach to Cure Muscular Dystrophy program.
“We’ve been involved in the Coach to Cure program all three years now. It’s something we regard very highly, and we are very proud to have been involved since the beginning.” said Coach Jeff McInerney.
For the third year in a row, a day has been designated where college football coaches all over the country have come together to support the program and raise awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
September 25 was the special day where members of the American Football Coaches Association all wore a Coach to Cure logo patch during games. “September 25 was very special, you could turn on the TV and watch the Arkansas/Alabama game and all their coaches were wearing the patch. It was like we were all one big family that day.”
The Coach to Cure MD program has raised over $500,000 to battle Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and had over 5,200 coaches participate in the event on September 25.
The program is a partnership between the American Football Coaches Association and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the largest national charity devoted to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a fatal genetic disorder that primarily affects boys during childhood. The disorder can affect anyone regardless of family history, although it usually only affects boys. It causes those who are diagnosed with it to develop progressive muscle weakness that will ultimately cause the loss of mobility.
Many who suffer from this disorder are confined to wheelchairs as it progresses, and it can also reduce respiratory and cardiac function. There is no cure for this disorder and very few options exist for those who have been diagnosed. It affects one in 3,500 boys, and there are an estimated 15,000 young men who are living with the disorder today.
Those who suffer from it generally don’t live beyond their twenties.
“It’s something that affects young men, and since we deal with young men every day we felt it was very important to get involved.” said Coach McInerney.
The American Football Coaches Association accounts for over 90 percent of college football coaches, and each year more and more get involved with the Coach to Cure MD program. “This is a great cause to be involved in,” said Coach McInerney. “We are all out there trying to raise awareness and give back. It’s important to raise awareness, not everybody knows about this disorder, but it’s something that can affect everyone. It’s a huge deal to be able to give back and contribute to this program. Even talking about it in interviews is very important.”
Because of the awareness created both by the Coaches Association and by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, research is progressing faster than ever and now legislation exists for funding research programs.
The involvement of coaches like Coach McInerney has greatly facilitated the process, and their continued support will only continue to benefit the program.
Fans looking to donate or learn more can go online to www.coachtocuremd.org