What happens when your head says yes but your muscles say no?

MONTREAL, May 11 /CNW Telbec/ - "I was 20 when I learned I had a neuromuscular disorder. That was in October 2005. At that age, you expect that when you head says go, your muscles will follow. My name is Keith Martin."

Keith has a degenerative disorder. But that did not prevent him from realizing one of his greatest dreams: biking across Canada, from coast to coast, with 4 of his friends in 2008. Keith is proof that courage and friendship can carry you anywhere. He is one of Muscular Dystrophy Canada's Ambassadors that will be on site with some members of the Speed Skating Canadian Team and our spokesperson, Normand Brathwaite to take part in:

    
               The Montreal Walk for Muscular Dystrophy event

                     Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.
                          Maisonneuve Park Pavilion
                     to benefit MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY CANADA
    

Our goal this year is to exceed the $115,000 raised for the cause last year. Five Walk events will take place in Quebec between May and September, in Montreal, Quebec City, Jonquière, Gatineau and Sherbrooke, respectively.

Muscular Dystrophy Canada's mission is to enhance the lives of those affected with neuromuscular disorders by continually working to provide ongoing support and resources while relentlessly searching for a cure through well funded research.

In Quebec, more than 15,000 people are affected with muscular dystrophy, 5,000 of them children. Living with this disorder means accepting that the most ordinary tasks will transform into obstacle courses as the disorder progresses. Because of the progressive nature of muscular dystrophy, the needs of affected people will change constantly and the cost of the specialized equipment MDC provides is quite high: a power wheelchair can cost up to $17,600, while a mechanical ventilation device can cost as much as $10,000.

In order for Muscular Dystrophy Canada to be able to pursue its work, and for researchers to continue to make giant strides towards finding better, more efficient treatments for neuromuscular disorders, we need your help in making muscles move. Come and join us!

Some 800 participants are expected to walk, skate and roll in the Montreal Walk for Muscular Dystrophy event. They will be welcomed with fun, food and refreshments, door prizes and participation prizes. The Walk for Muscular Dystrophy is a fully accessible event.

For further information: on the event: Aminata Millaire, Revenue Development Manager, MDC-Quebec, [phone], ext. 234, [email protected]; Source: Marie-Louise Delisle, Development and Communication Manager, MDC-Quebec, [phone], ext. 229