Alexander was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy at 5 years old, a week shy of pre-school graduation in 2011. We had never heard the world “Duchenne” before, and once we learned about the disease, we were devastated.

After a period of grief and mourning, we managed to re-frame our situation, and we gained strength, courage and faith from God. Our friends and family were by our side and encouraged us to start WALKING STRONG, to help get us closer to a cure and create awareness. We turned adversity into service and through generous donations, created Walking Strong a life-changing assistance program to help those who walk in our shoes.

Alexander is an 18-year-old young man who attends Crespi Carmelite High School as a Senior. He has a magnetic smile that warms the hearts of all who meet him. He has a deep love for sports and is an athlete playing on the two-time winning U.S. Power Soccer Team: The LASC, and also served as Team Manager of the Crespi Football and Basketball Teams. He plans on attending either Cal Lutheran University or USC in the fall of 2024 where he will study sports broadcasting.

Alexander has taught us that each day of life is precious and to embrace the journey, being grateful for all we have. He has brought us to a place of service, which is the most fulfilling part of life.

Our mission is to empower individuals affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and their families. We are committed to providing comprehensive support, funding cutting-edge scientific research, and building a strong and compassionate community.

What Is Duchenne?

(Pronounced “Du Shen”)

Duchenne is the most common fatal, genetic childhood disorder, which affects approximately 1 out of every 5,000 boys each year worldwide. It currently has no cure. Diagnosis occurs around 3 – 5 years of age, usually the first sign is muscle weakness and large calf muscles.

The Duchenne gene is found on the X- chromosome and occurs mostly in boys which progressively degenerates all their muscles over time including the heart and the lungs. It is carried through the mother and often times is a spontaneous mutation and does not run in the family. Duchenne does not discriminate and occurs within any racial, ethnic or economic background.

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