Please join us on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Wetumpka Middle School for Hope for Houston.
Houston was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in 2013, at the age of 6.
DMD is a rapidly progressing form of muscular dystrophy that occurs primarily in boys.
DMD is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in childhood, affecting approximately 1 in 3500 boys. Duchenne results in progressive loss of strength and is caused by a mutation in the gene that encodes for dystrophin. Because dystrophin is absent, the muscle cells are easily damaged. The progressive muscle weakness leads to serious medical problems, particularly issues relating to the heart and lungs. Although there are medical treatments that may help slow its progression, there is currently no cure for DMD.
Those who have followed our story know that the clinical trial that Houston was participating in at Vanderbilt in 2017 was discontinued in June 2018. That research company discontinued the trial stating that the medication did not show a meaningful effect on slowing DMD progression. This was very disappointing but we remained hopeful and in prayer that God would open another door for Houston. In October 2018, Houston started a clinical trial in Gainesville, FL. This trial will determine the impact of a myostatin inhibitor which should help to increase muscle mass in hopes of allowing Houston to be mobile longer. Although we are uncertain if he is actually getting the medication or a placebo, we trust God in this process. If all goes well with this research, Houston will definitely be given the medication in October 2019 when entering the extension phase of this trial.
Our goals each year for the H4H run are to bring awareness to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, to raise money for Houston’s care and medical expenses, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, to make Jesus Christ known through this storm. A part of this last goal is accomplished by providing funding from the H4H run to Project Hope. Project Hope has been created to minister to families with children who have life threatening or life altering diseases. Project Hope has been able to minister and provide assistance to three families this past year and we want to say THANK YOU to all of our sponsors and runners for being a part of this ministry through your partnership with Hope for Houston.
We will host our next H4H 5k on March 16, 2019. All of the proceeds from this year’s run will go to Project Hope.
A few days after Houston was diagnosed with DMD, our Heavenly Father laid the following verse on the heart of Houston’s father:
Isaiah 40:30-31
30) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31) but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Which is our ‘Hope for Houston”
