Coach to Cure MD Special Concert with Chase Rice

If anything, this year has reminded us all that the most important thing we have is our health. In addition to COVID-19, it seems like we get reminders all too often about how fragile our health can be beyond the pandemic. My family got that reminder with cancer this fall, but we also got it 15 years ago when my nephew, Joel, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive muscle disorder that has no cure. I have written about it before and if you want to learn more about Joel and his family's journey, click here.  As I was thinking about this post, I did not want to write another sad post - I think you have had enough of that from me this year. Instead, I want to talk about how awesome it is to watch something that started as a small idea grow into something nobody ever expected. Brad (my husband) and his sister, Rachel, started Coach to Cure MD 13 years ago to create awareness and raise money for research to cure this lethal genetic disorder.And they have done just that. It started with college football coaches wearing Coach to Cure MD logo patches on their sleeves on the sidelines. It grew to families coming to games and having boys battling Duchenne MD serve as honorary captains, flipping the coin, and getting introduced to stadium crowds. Then families began having tailgate parties in their towns to raise money while watching the games on Coach to Cure MD weekend. And now there is a corporate sponsor, Werner Ladder. So, if you need a ladder, make sure you buy one from them.One of my favorite stories is what my hometown team, Ohio State, has done. A few years back they got connected with a young man named Jacob Jarvis and they have made him a permanent part of the Buckeye family.This year, of course, everything is different and all the things that made this cause work are challenged. Many teams are not playing, tailgate parties are temporarily illegal, the equipment staff for every team have extra COVID protocol duties and can't make putting a patch on a sleeve a top priority, and immuno-compromised kids can't meet players or go to games. But there is no stopping Brad and Rachel and all the other families that have made this charity a reality. Watch this video to see how you can still "Get in the Game."You will see some coaches wearing the CTCMD patches this weekend, but on Sunday, something really big is happening. Country music star Chase Rice has a special virtual show just for Coach to Cure MD. It's this Sunday night at 7pm EST, and it will be streamed on Facebook on the Coach To Cure MD page - here's the link.  Chase played football at UNC, is friends with some of the coaches, and decided to get back in the game himself to help raise money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. I am a huge country music fan, so I can't wait to watch. He is also easy on the eyes, so if you don't like country music, you should still watch. All jokes aside, it is pretty amazing that a huge recording artist volunteered his time and talent to support these boys. People are good; people are really good.  If you would like to donate, you can text the word CURE to 501501 to donate $25. Or, if you want to make a bigger impact, click this link to help my nephew meet his fundraising goal. Everything helps - and your donations go directly to scientific research grants to help us find this cure.