What is Duchenne MD?
Understanding DMD is the first step to fighting it.
What is DMD?
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. It is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene — the largest gene in the human body.
Who Does It Affect?
DMD primarily affects boys. It occurs in approximately 1 in 3,500 to 5,000 male births worldwide. Girls can be carriers and may experience milder symptoms.
Progression
Symptoms typically appear between ages 2–5. Most boys lose the ability to walk by their early teens. Serious cardiac and respiratory complications develop as the disease progresses.
The Facts
1 in 3,500
male births affected worldwide
300,000+
individuals affected globally
No Cure
currently exists — research is critical
Gene Therapy
offers the most promising path to treatment
Why Urgency Matters
For children living with DMD, time is not a luxury. Every day without treatment means more muscle loss, more complications, and more limitations on quality of life. Research is advancing — gene therapy trials are showing promise — but funding is essential to accelerate progress.
That’s why Heal DMD exists. To bridge the gap between today’s reality and tomorrow’s cure.