Running for FSHD Research

Invest in Others - BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ --

Runner - Andrew Prentice - Runs For FSH Research

BOSTON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Invest in Others Charitable Foundation, Inc., a public charity that supports the philanthropic and volunteer efforts of financial advisors across the country, today announced it has contributed $30,000 to Pine Street Inn through its Second Annual 5K Run/Walk event in Boston on Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Founded and based in Boston, Pine Street Inn is a charity committed to ending homelessness in the organization's home town. The donation will be directed towards Pine Street Inn's new Hartford Street Project, a 16-unit supportive housing program for homeless U.S. veterans that Pine Street Inn is preparing to open in the fall of 2010.

Following the Run/Walk, Invest in Others also awarded the top three male and female financial advisor finishers with a generous donation to the charity of their choice. This year's honorees included:

• Andrew Prentice of Bliss Investments in Olympia, WA; first place male financial advisor; benefiting Friends of FSH Research

Read more about this run at http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/invest-in-others-charitable-foundation-donates-30000-to-pine-street-inn-through-second-annual-5k-runwalk-in-boston-99470529.html

New Report Regarding Fascioscapulohumeral Dystrophy

Fascioscapulohumeral Dyst... : Neurology Today (to see entire article)

Neurology Today:

16 September 2010 - Volume 10 - Issue 18 - p 15

Although questions remain, the discovery, reported online in Science on Aug. 19, points the way toward an effective treatment for FSHD, which produces progressive wasting of muscles in the upper body.

“I don't think the importance of this can be over-emphasized,” said John Porter, PhD, program director of Neuromuscular Disease at the Neurogenetics Cluster and the NINDS Office of Translational Research, who was not involved with the study. “Without a mechanistic model that provides a hypothesis about the pathogenesis of a disease, researchers have difficulty getting grants. Grant applications have to be supported by a conceptual framework, and this provides a huge building block.”

(read entire report at Neurology Today)

September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month

TORONTO, ONTARIO-- Sept. 1, 2010 - Keith Martin is a typical young adult in many ways: he's an avid Habs fan, and enjoys travelling and hanging out with friends. Keith is also a champion.

In 2005, at the age of 20, Keith was diagnosed with Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD). Three years later, in 2008, Keith and four friends cycled across Canada raising over $190,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. Along the way, Keith inspired a nation to turn ideas into action.

"It's been a challenge overcoming the psychological effects of not having my body perform the way I feel it should. The sports I love have become harder and everyday tasks a little more difficult. I've gotten used to it, but I always notice it, and the adjustment is tough," says Keith about his diagnosis.

It's 2010 and Keith Martin's life is full. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in the spring, and is currently working in Montreal and looking forward to travelling the world.

FSHD is just one of more than 100 neuromuscular disorders. Each form is caused by an error in a specific gene related to muscle function. The symptoms of a neuromuscular disease vary according to the condition and may be mild, moderate or life-threatening. For some the disorder is fatal at a young age. No matter what the severity, entire families are affected. There is currently no cure. It is estimated that more than 50,000 Canadians are affected by a neuromuscular disorder.