CureDuchenne, a leading global nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hosted its annual Ladies Luncheon at the Austin Country Club raising more than $90,000 to support critical research and patient care. The event, started by Austin residents Tim and Laura Revell and hosted by Venus Strawn and Jennifer Stevens, brought together some of the most influential women in Austin to raise awareness and funds for CureDuchenne.
This year’s theme, “Afternoon in NYC,” transported guests to the glamour of the Big Apple. The luncheon featured exciting raffles, networking opportunities, and an elegant meal. Tim and Laura Revell shared their deeply personal journey of raising two sons, Timothy and Andrew, diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the ages of two and five. Faced with limited treatment options and a grim prognosis, the Revells refused to accept that nothing could be done. Their determination led them to join forces with CureDuchenne, and through years of fundraising and advocacy, they have helped raise over $6.2 million to fuel research and bring hope to families facing the same challenges. Their boys, now ages 18 and 21, attended the event as well and inspired attendees with their courage and unwavering resilience in the face of adversity.
In addition to the Revells, Melanie Burton Sanford shared her family’s journey after her 7-year-old son, Hudson, was diagnosed with Duchenne two years ago. Last year, Hudson received a groundbreaking gene therapy treatment at the CureDuchenne Clinic in Denton, Texas—one of the first clinics in the country to offer this newly FDA-approved treatment. While the treatment is not a cure, it holds the potential to delay the progression of the disease. Sanford emphasized that although this treatment brings hope, much work remains to ensure that treatments and, ultimately, a cure are available for all children with Duchenne.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a fatal genetic disease that affects approximately 1 in 5,000 male births. Since its founding in 2003, CureDuchenne has raised more than $50 million to fund 18 research projects that have advanced to human clinical trials and developed impactful programs that support families affected by Duchenne worldwide. For more information about CureDuchenne, visit www.CureDuchenne.org.
