stronger
together
When was the last time you felt alone and isolated, wondering if anyone truly understood what you are going through? It’s a terrible feeling.
For families living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, that sense of isolation is a daily reality. Whether in a bustling city or a quiet village, this rare disease is often unheard of, leaving families to face challenges that few people around them truly understand.
With your gift today, isolation becomes connection. Hope becomes strategy. Love become action.
Your donation connects families like Henry’s in the Yukon and Brayden’s in Nova Scotia with other Duchenne families and individuals who understand what they are going through.
It builds bridges with government agencies, healthcare providers, researchers and drug manufacturers to promote awareness and understanding of what it means to live with Duchenne. It amplifies our voice for access to affordable treatments in Canada. It helps people living with Duchenne live their best life.
Meet Henry Buntain
“Henry is such a sweet, smart, funny kid. He was diagnosed with Duchenne at four years old, the day after his birthday,” says Jenna Buntain, Henry’s mom.
“He’s very into video games and taking apart electronics. He will find an alarm clock and take it apart. He loves to laugh, and he’s just great.”
“On the outside, Henry doesn’t look any different than his friends and peers. He’s still walking right now. Most of the challenges are not here yet.”
It’s just great to know that across the country, we’re dealing with the same kind of things. And we’re sharing and advocating just to make Duchenne more known.
– Jenna Buntain, (Henry’s Mom)
Meet Brayden Cream
“I’m 20 years old now. I’m from Nova Scotia and I have DMD. I just graduated from the Business Administration program at the Nova Scotia Community College. And I’m really interested in Marketing,” says Brayden.
“I really enjoy hockey. I love watching it. And I like creating social media content. I have a hockey account on Instagram.”
“I love hanging with my friends. They’re important to me. I love spending time with family. And I guess I like making people happy. That’s what I think I can do. “
Building Connection. Inspiring Hope. Leading Progress.
“It feels good to know that I’m not alone. It’s inspiring to see people who have the same values as me and know that someone’s really trying to make a change,” says Brayden.
“I want donors to see that it’s very important for people with the same disability to connect. Sometimes people with disabilities might feel alone or isolated, like no one understands them.
But when we come together, I feel there’s a community that actually understands me. It’s a powerful feeling.”
“It’s like, when I don’t have the energy to be advocating myself at the moment, I know that there’s other families that are stepping up at that,” says Jenna.
“And maybe when I’m better situated for this, dealing with this, then I will be the one stepping up and advocating. It’s just really nice to know that if we’re struggling and just need to catch up, there are other families that are going through it and doing the things.”
“It’s good to have people sharing stories and getting people familiar with Duchenne. Every little bit helps with that.”
Brayden has seen firsthand how community action creates change.
“I just think the community can be very helpful. Around the hockey rink, they’re all supportive and we’ve actually made places more accessible.”
“At the local rink, there was a ramp in a wheelchair seating area down at the far end. But at the front of it, there was no ramp. So, we talked to some people, and they actually created a ramp. Now there are two viewing areas, and you don’t have to go to the back.”
“So, that was a good thing that happened. I feel very grateful that people are seeing us and understanding that, ‘Oh, this is very serious. We need to solve this.’ I think there’s lots of awareness now, which is good. People really seem to care.”
We all are united in this fight - from coast, to coast, to coast.
The Buntain and Cream families live thousands of kilometres apart. Your donation brings them together in a single shared fight against Duchenne. Help bridge the gap of isolation, loneliness, and hopelessness by donating and creating connection, strength, and hope for families like Henry’s and Brayden’s.
Every dollar donated between now and December 31 will be matched by a generous group of donors up to $100,000. Special thank you to the following individuals and families for doubling donations: The Davidson Family, The Cappelli Family and anonymous donors.
You can make sure no one faces Duchenne alone.
Together, we can defeat Duchenne. With your support, we will.