Ferris State Football Coaching Staff To Support Important Initiative This Saturday

Ferris State Football Coaching Staff To Support Important Initiative This Saturday

Big Rapids, Mich. - The Ferris State University football coaching staff will join an important national cause by helping support "Coach to Cure MD" during this Saturday's (Sept. 28) Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) road contest versus Walsh at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.  Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (ET).

The entire Bulldog coaching staff, including head coach Tony Annese, will join thousands of others from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) by wearing "Coach to Cure" MD logo patches on the sidelines for the game. 

"Coach to Cure MD", a national charity project of the AFCA, helps bring coaches nationwide together from all levels of collegiate football to raise awareness and research funding for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most prolific genetic killer diagnosed in childhood.  This year marks the sixth year of the nationwide program. The rapidly growing annual effort has raised more than a million dollars to battle Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

"The AFCA membership has enthusiastically embraced Coach to Cure MD," said Grant Teaff, executive director of the AFCA and legendary former coach at Baylor University. "We are proud of the commitment shown at all levels of competition to help raise funding for such an important cause."

AFCA members will wear the "Coach to Cure MD" logo patch on the sidelines and college football fans are asked to donate to research projects supported by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused entirely on this disease.

Football fans can donate to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research throughout the Sept. 28 contests by going online to www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word "CURE" to 90999 (a $5 donation will automatically be added to your next phone bill).

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood and primarily affects boys across all races and cultures.  Boys and young men with this disorder develop progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes loss of mobility, wheelchair dependency and a decline in respiratory and cardiac function.  Currently, there is no cure and limited therapeutic options exist.

Last year, over 10,000 college coaches from 580 schools participated in the "Coach to Cure MD" event,.  Families affected with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy will also gather for fundraising tailgate parties on campuses around the country to help encourage more fans to get involved.

In additon to the Bulldog staff, thousands of other coaches across the country will also take part in Saturday's important cause.

The AFCA was founded in 1922 and is considered the primary professional association for football coaches at all levels of competition. The 10,000-member organization includes more than 90 percent of head coaches at the 700-plus schools that sponsor football at the college level. Members include coaches from Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan and Mexico.

Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 by parents of children with Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy. The organization's mission is to improve the treatment, quality of life and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy through research, advocacy, education and compassion. PPMD is headquartered in Middletown, Ohio with offices in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

For more information, please visit:
www.CoachtoCureMD.org