World Duchenne Awareness Day is a holiday observed annually on September 7th. This holiday raises awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy—a condition that affects 1 out of 3,500 boys around the world. It is a rare but severe type of muscular dystrophy that affects muscular strength and can cause severe mobility impairments.

This holiday is an opportunity for people from around the globe to come together to raise money and awareness about this condition. It’s also a day for people to show support for those who suffer from this disease, as well as their families.

The History of World Duchenne Awareness Day

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy was first described by the French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne in the mid-19th century. He discovered that this condition was caused by a gene mutation that affects the production of the protein dystrophin. This protein is extremely important for helping muscles maintain their structure.

Without dystrophin, muscles weaken and degenerate, leading to considerable mobility issues and, in some cases, cardiac and respiratory complications. In 2014, the first World Duchenne Awareness Day was launched by Nicoletta Madia and Elizabeth Vroom.

They were both active members of the World Duchenne Organization and wanted to create a holiday that not only raises awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy but also helps to show support for those living with the condition, as well as their families. Since its creation, this holiday has become a worldwide movement observed all over the world.

Observing World Duchenne Awareness Day

Raising awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the primary way for people to observe this holiday, but there are certainly other ways to observe it as well. People can take the time to learn more about this condition and help spread the news about it online using the hashtag #DuchenneAwarenessDay on social media.