On Sunday, May 25, 403 people and 33 teams from all over Canada and parts of the United States came together to walk, run, and roll in honour of a shared goal: to end Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Together, you raised $192,000 thus far. We’re celebrating this incredible milestone, but we know the work is far from over.

“This annual walk is a declaration of hope, of urgency, and of community. Your support ensures that vital work continues to stop this disease in its tracks: funding research, advancing advocacy, and delivering the education and care that families rely on every day.” – Lisa McCoy, CEO, Defeat Duchenne Canada

Honouring the Legacy. Fueling the Future.

This year’s walk marked the 30th anniversary of the historic journey of John and Jesse Davidson, the father-son duo whose cross-province trek in 1995 ignited a national movement.

105 people honoured John and Jesse’s legacy by taking on the Founder’s Challenge, walking 30 km in one day or throughout May. These 30 km reflect the same daily distance John and Jesse completed together.

John and Jesse were just the beginning. Today, over 800 Canadians live with Duchenne. Every step you took and every dollar you fundraised help ensure that no one walks this path alone.

Prizes & Recognition

We are proud to recognize this year’s top fundraisers, whose incredible efforts raised both awareness and essential funds:

• Top Child/Youth Fundraiser: Dustin from Dusty’s Dynamos in B.C. – fundraised over $1,500
• Top Adult Fundraiser: Drew Bonin from Jacob’s Journey in Alberta – fundraised over $12,700
• Top Fundraising Team: Team Jacob’s Journey from Alberta – fundraised over $29,000

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Ambassadors

Thank you to the families who bravely shared their journeys with Duchenne. Thank you for leading with courage, vulnerability, and hope. This year, we were honoured to walk alongside:

• The MacKenzie Family in Alberta
• The Chahal Family in Ontario
• The Dupras-Maldonado Family in Quebec
• The Coady Family in Nova Scotia

Keep the Memories Alive

Your photos and stories beautifully captured the spirit of this memorable day. Please continue to share your photos and videos with us by emailing [email protected] or submitting online:

Check out our Instagram and Facebook highlight reel to relive some of the most moving moments, and visit our YouTube channel to view all the special messages shared throughout the day.

A special thank you to Duchenne Dad and yoga instructor, Duane Allen, for leading us in a powerful opening warm-up and land acknowledgement.

Thank you for walking. Thank you for fundraising. Thank you for believing in a future without Duchenne.

The Work Isn’t Over

This year’s walk was a bold step forward, but we still have a long way to go. Our goal is to raise $300,000 to help invest our $20 millionth dollar in research. Every gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to that milestone and closer to a cure.

If you haven’t donated yet, or know someone who hasn’t, now is the time:

We’re not stopping until every step forward brings us one closer to a cure.

Thank you to everyone who walked, donated, and supported the 2025 Walk to Defeat Duchenne. Your impact is real, and your commitment brings us closer to a future without Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

We hope you’ll join us again next year for the 2026 Walk to Defeat Duchenne. Together, we will keep moving forward.