Teen riders stop in Milford during 18-day ride for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
By Frances Ruth Harris
MILFORD — A 600-mile bike trek through 8 states that's taking 18 days stopped in Milford on July 21 in its fight against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
The Jett Riders spent Saturday night in town after arriving at the United Methodist Church at about 4:30 p.m. They swam, chatted, ate a wonderful dinner at the church, then bedded down in their sleeping bags before rising and leaving Milford at 4:30 a.m. Sunday.
They started out in Washington, D.C., on July 12. After their Milford stop they were headed to Washingtonville, N.Y., Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Millerton, N.Y., Windsor Locks, Conn., and Providence, R.I.. The cyclists will reach their destination, Plymouth, Mass., on July 29.
Four of the teenaged riders — Lance and Luke Haines, and Brian and Olivia Edwards — have brothers fighting the disease. All riders know Duchenne sufferers, and all want to show the world how important it is to ride for a cure.
Luke said his brother, 11-year-old Levi, rides a scooter and will be getting a power wheelchair.
Olivia said her brother Tanner is now in a wheelchair.
All riders said it was a privilege to cycle, since they know too many kids afflicted with Duchenne who can't ride bikes.
"My little brother inspires and motivates me when the journey gets tough," said Luke.
Several riders said their families are dependent on their faith for the courage, hope, and strength to fight Duchenne. Olivia's mom told her she wouldn't know where she'd be without faith.
"We take it day by day," Luke said.
Additional activities during their 18-day cycle include a hot air balloon ride, a visit to Hershey Park and the White House, rail trails and historic places, swimming, and sightseeing, including visiting more than 20 families where Duchenne is the enemy.
The Jett Foundation began in 2001 when the parents of five-year-old Jett McSherry learned their son had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The foundation has raised over $16 million dollars for biomedical research to find a cure.
The Duchenne gene rests on the X-chromosome, targeting mostly males. One in every 3,500 live male births is affected. In the U.S., 15,000 patients live with the disease.
Duchenne can occur randomly too. Like Ducheene's cousin, ALS, the neuromuscular disorder causes premature death, usually in the victim's mid-twenties. Contributions to find a cure may be made online at https://www.jettride.com.