OUR MISSION
Fighting to Find a Cure for
Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy (DMD)
duchenne is a fatal genetic disorder and there currently is no cure.
Duchenne IS A PROGRESSIVE, MUSCULAR WASTING DISORDER.
Most BOYS LOSe THE ABILITY TO WALK BY AGE 12,
AND LOSE THEIR LIFE IN THEIR 20’S.
Our Story
The summer of 2017..
was like any other with three small boys, lots of playing, swimming, and play ground time. After an accident sent our middle son, Hunter, then two, to the hospital, we were told he had elevated liver enzymes. Upon further evaluation with a specialist, we received the diagnosis, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive, incurable, fatal disease of the muscle. While we were shocked by the diagnosis, we learned this was a genetic disorder and our youngest son, Noah, then one, also had the disorder and our oldest, Carter, then four, had been spared.
While our hearts were broken, we researched and learned as much as we could about the Duchenne. We learned there is so much hope in the community that TREATMENTS for this disorder are near that can change our boys’ lives.
We started the Small Heroes Foundation for many reasons. We want to contribute what we can to gene therapy clinical trials. We want to provide families with assistance for uncovered medical equipment to give their Duchenne sons the best life possible. We want to save our sons’ lives. And we need your help. Any donation to our foundation, nothing is too big or small, can help us achieve our goal. Thank you for your support.
Over
$500k
raised for genetic research
we will not stop until we find a cure.
join the fight to make a difference.
Our Events
because i can challenge
In 2019 Small Heroes held a 12 week “Because I Can” Challenge to encourage our participants to push themselves to accomplish a goal. Participants ran in 5Ks, took daily family walks, or changed eating habits during the 12 weeks and raised over 30k.
tailgate to beat duchenne
Since 2018 Small Heroes has held the “Tailgate to Beat Duchenne” at a yearly Notre Dame football game to raise awareness and money for DMD. Our tailgating events have raised over 50K.
community car wash
In the summer or 2019 a community car wash was held to raise money for DMD. With the help of the boys’ school, Sacred Heart, our amazing Winnetka community, and car wash organizers, Kim & Joe Doucas, we raised over 8k in one afternoon washing cars!
Parent Project muscular dystrophy (PPMD) endurance races
Our amazing friends and family from across the country have joined the Small Heroes team to run endurance races in both NYC and Chicago since 2018. Our endurance teams have raised over 100K for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. We run “because we can” in honor of Duchenne boys are currently unable to participate in these races. We hope that gene therapy will change the course of Duchenne and allow them to conquer endurance races one day.
Small Heroes BBQ
Our friends, Joe and Tanya Scandariato, held a BBQ fundraiser in the fall of 2019. Great food, friends, and fun helped raise over 8k for Small Heroes.
prologo spartan race
Our amazing friend, Corey Prologo, raised over $100,000 while competing in the Beast Spartan Race on October 27th on behalf of Small Heroes. We cannot thank Corey, his family, and every single donor (many of whom we have never met), including his generous employer who matched his fundraising.
