By rdnewsNOW staff

800 families in canada impacted

Red Deer to light up for World Duchenne Awareness Day

Sep 3, 2025 | 2:46 PM

Red Deer is taking part this weekend in the 12th nationwide day to bring attention to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

World Duchenne Awareness Day is Sept. 7, with Red Deer City Hall lighting up red in solidarity. September is also Duchenne Awareness Month.

The disease is rare but relentless, affecting more than 800 boys and young men across Canada, per the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry. That includes more than 45 families in Alberta.

Duchenne is the most common form of muscular dystrophy and is a rare genetic disorder that affects 1-in-5,000 male births worldwide. On average, and in the absence of newborn screening, a confirmed diagnosis occurs between the ages of 3-6.

An explainer on the genetics behind Duchenne is at defeatduchenne.com.

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“Duchenne muscular dystrophy impacts far more than the individual diagnosed. It affects the lives of everyone who loves and cares about someone living with the disease,” says Brian Atkinson, board chair, Defeat Duchenne Canada. “This September, we’re inviting Albertans to recognize the courage of these families, to stand with them, and to help ensure no family faces Duchenne alone.”

Red Deer City Hall is one of several landmarks across Canada, including the Calgary Tower, taking part this Sunday.

To show solidarity, Red Deerians are encouraged to do one or more of the following:

● Shine a Light: Visit Calgary Tower or Red Deer City Hall on September 7 and share a photo on social media with @defeatduchenne. Show local families that the community is standing beside them.

● Share Your Story: The “Family: The Heart of Care” campaign honours the extended family networks who support individuals living with DMD. If you are a sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or friend supporting someone with Duchenne, share your story and join a national movement to celebrate these everyday heroes: defeatduchenne.ca/awareness-month

● Spread Awareness: Download shareable images and captions from the Defeat Duchenne Canada website to post online. By raising awareness, families and supporters can help connect newly diagnosed individuals with information about DMD care and resources, access to the latest research, and join the national network of support.

● Donate Today: Support the cause and help us build a world without Duchenne.

Those who wish to learn more can visit defeatduchenne.ca.

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