At Entrada, we recognize that disparities in their many forms add challenges for people living with serious diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne). We launched Entrada DREAMS, an annual competitive grants program, to fund efforts within the Duchenne community that better identify, understand and reach those who are currently underrepresented and underserved.
Since the program was launched in 2023, the impact of DREAMS has been brought to life by the multiple incredible organizations selected as recipients. We recently sat down with the 2024 recipients to help shine a light on their efforts to bridge healthcare disparities impacting the Duchenne community and their progress since receiving the grant.
About CureDuchenne
CureDuchenne is a non-profit committed to improving the lives of everyone affected by Duchenne by accelerating research to find the cure, improving care and empowering the Duchenne community.
Debra and Paul Miller founded the nonprofit in 2003 after their son Hawken was diagnosed with Duchenne and have anchored their work to three strategic pillars: Cure, Care and Community.
Through its research funding efforts, CureDuchenne supports promising research programs aimed at treating and curing the disease. Since the organization’s inception, 19 projects funded by CureDuchenne have progressed to clinical trials, and life expectancy for Duchenne has increased by a decade.
Aiming to support the community in ways that extend beyond funding research, CureDuchenne also works to educate parents, caregivers, clinicians and physical therapists on best practices to increase the health and wellbeing of those living with Duchenne.
“CureDuchenne is a U.S.-based nonprofit, but it's an internationally recognized organization, and we get emails and phone calls from people around the world asking us for help,” said Jennifer Valdes, PT, CureDuchenne International Outreach Program Lead.
CureDuchenne saw the need to connect and educate families across the globe, not just in the U.S. Guided by its strategic pillar of community, CureDuchenne created the International Outreach Program to support better outcomes on a worldwide scale.
The 2024 DREAMS Grant has directly supported this program, focused on enhancing global awareness and training on Duchenne through virtual and in-person conferences across various countries that may have limited access to education, healthcare and resources.
“The mission of the CureDuchenne International Outreach Program is to enhance the awareness of Duchenne, educate families and form solid collaborations beyond our borders – with a priority on those who are underserved and underrepresented,” said Jennifer Wallace Valdes, PT, CureDuchenne International Outreach Program Lead.
The grant has played a key role in enabling the program to expand its efforts to diagnose, treat and support individuals affected by Duchenne – this included communities in Nepal, Uganda, China and Mexico.
“We developed this international program so that we have the structure to support these members of the community and connect them with people in their own country who can help.”
One region where resources have been scarce for the Duchenne community is Mexico. In an effort to bring education, connection and hope to these families, the CureDuchenne International Program hosted CureDuchenne Fuerza 2025 in Mexico City this past October.
The conference served as a critical platform for education, collaboration and community empowerment across the Spanish-speaking Duchenne community. Delivering the program in Spanish made the content accessible – helping families and clinicians gain knowledge and confidence in their own language.
With the help of the DREAMS Grant, CureDuchenne was able to provide travel assistance to local families in need of transportation to the event. For those who were unable to attend in person, the event was broadcasted online – ensuring that all members of the community were able to access the programming regardless of their location and ability to travel.
“We are profoundly grateful that the DREAMS Grant not only gave us the opportunity to have this conference, but also to stream it online and offer virtual participation,” said Jennifer. “We had 200 people in the conference room, and we had another 200 that attended online.”
In addition to providing families with resources and strategies to ensure quality care, CureDuchenne Fuerza 2025 also gave the community an opportunity to get together in person and build deep connections.
“In three locations, the community got together and had a watch party,” said Jennifer. “They watched the conference on a large screen, they socialized and they were able to solidify their bonds.”
The response to CureDuchenne Fuerza 2025 was incredible, with families emphasizing how the event made them feel seen and supported by the broader community.
A Duchenne parent Flor Hernández shared, “Parents called me after the event to express how grateful they were that this was held in Mexico City. They now feel less alone in this fight against Duchenne. It was a day full of emotion, information and motivation that gives us strength to keep going.”
Looking Ahead
Building on the success of their 2025 initiatives to support communities in Mexico, Nepal, Uganda, China and Mexico, CureDuchenne plans to continue partnering with local organizations, clinical leaders and global sponsors to drive sustainable impact in these regions and beyond.
By continuing this important work, CureDuchenne aims to improve outcomes for individuals living with Duchenne and their families.
Get Involved
For anyone looking to learn more about CureDuchenne and support its efforts to drive real change for those impacted by Duchenne, visit the CureDuchenne website.
Interested in applying for a future DREAMS Grant? Please visit the Entrada DREAMS Grant Program webpage where you can find applications for this year’s program.
