Bulldog Staff To Support "Coach to Cure MD"
Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University football
coaching staff will join an important national cause by helping
support "Coach to Cure MD" during this Saturday's (Sept. 26) Great
Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) road contest
versus Northern Michigan at the Superior Dome in Marquette,
Mich. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. (EDT).
The Bulldog staff, including head coach Jeff
Pierce, will join thousands of others from the American
Football Coaches Association (AFCA) by wearing "Coach to Cure" MD
arm patches for the game.
"Coach to Cure MD", a national charity project of the AFCA,
helps bring coaches nationwide together from all levels of
collegiate football to raise awareness and research funding for
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most prolific genetic killer
diagnosed in childhood.
"College football coaches are dedicated to the betterment of young
men and that's why the entire coaching profession is proud to be a
part of Coach to Cure MD," said Grant Teaff, AFCA executive
director legendary former coach of Baylor University. "Our
coaches are determined to beat Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and we
need college football fans to help."
AFCA members will wear the "Coach to Cure MD" logo patch on the
sidelines and college football fans are asked to donate to research
projects supported by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the
largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused entirely on this
disease.
Football fans can donate to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research
throughout the Sept. 26 contests by going online to www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by
texting the word "CURE" to 90999 (a $5 donation will automatically
be added to your next phone bill and standard text message rates
apply).
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic
disorder diagnosed during childhood and primarily affects boys
across all races and cultures. Boys and young men with this
disorder develop progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes
loss of mobility, wheelchair dependency and a decline in
respiratory and cardiac function. Currently, there is no cure
and limited therapeutic options exist.
Last year, over 2,675 college coaches participated in the inaugural
"Coach to Cure MD" event, which is sponsored nationally by the
financial service firm TIAA-CREF. Families affected with
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy will also gather for fundraising
tailgate parties on campuses around the country to help encourage
more fans to get involved.
In additon to the Bulldog staff, thousands of other coaches across
the country will also take part in Saturday's important cause,
including coaches such as Texas' Mack Brown, Jim Tressel of Ohio
State and Dick Tomey, current president of the AFCA and a national
spokesperson for the project.
For more information, please visit:
www.CoachtoCureMD.org
