CureDuchenne’s Inaugural Ladies Luncheon Raises Awareness and Inspires Hope 

 Newport Beach, CA – October 25, 2024 – The first-ever Ladies Luncheon, hosted by CureDuchenne at the beautiful Shady Canyon Golf Club, was a resounding success. This garden party-themed event raised awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy while bringing together key supporters, advocates, and influencers for a stylish and impactful afternoon. Guests donned stunning attire and whimsical hats, adding to the festive atmosphere, all while supporting a vital cause. 

Emceed by Bree Cox-Kennedy, the luncheon featured an exclusive fashion presentation that captivated attendees. Guests were treated to an exclusive presentation of Monique Lhuillier’s Fall 2024 Collection, alongside sophisticated men’s fashion from Hugo Boss for Saks Fifth Avenue, produced and underwritten by South Coast Plaza. 

Throughout the event, attendees heard impactful presentations about the progress CureDuchenne has made over the past 22 years. Laura Hameed, Executive Director, and Dr. Michael Kelly, Chief Scientific Officer, spoke about the advancements in critical research but emphasized the ongoing need to drive progress for the thousands of individuals with Duchenne who are still waiting for a cure. Their words underscored the importance of pushing for innovative treatments and breakthrough therapies. 

Hawken Miller, son of CureDuchenne founders Debra and Paul Miller, shared his personal journey living with Duchenne. Expressing his gratitude to the attendees, Hawken said, “We still have a chance to add years to the lives of people like me. To keep us off ventilators, to protect our hearts, to allow us to use our arms to hug our loved ones.” His heartfelt message resonated deeply with the audience, highlighting the urgency of finding next-generation therapies. 

One of the most moving moments of the day came when Karyn Blosil, a local mother of four whose five-year-old son, Rocco, was diagnosed with Duchenne earlier this year. Karyn shared the heartbreak and determination her family has faced since the diagnosis, expressing her gratitude to CureDuchenne for giving them hope and support while underscoring the urgent need for treatments that halt the progression of this disease. “Rocco and thousands of boys like him deserve a future where Duchenne doesn’t rob these boys of their childhood or dictate the outcome of their lives” 

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a fatal genetic disease that affects roughly 1 in 5,000 male births. Individuals with Duchenne are typically diagnosed as toddlers, lose the ability to walk in their early-teens and often succumb to the disease in their mid-20s. Since CureDuchenne was founded in 2003, the organization has invested more than $26M in research and funded 18 research projects that have advanced to human clinical trials. In addition, CureDuchenne develops impactful programs that help families living with Duchenne around the world. 

Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne, expressed her deep gratitude to the attendees and sponsors. “This inaugural luncheon is a testament to the unwavering support of this community. We are closer than ever to groundbreaking treatments, and together, we will not stop until we find a cure. The lives of thousands of boys and young men depend on it, and we owe it to them to keep fighting.” 

The success of the Ladies Luncheon was made possible by the support of sponsors South Coast Plaza, Porsche, Kapture Vision, Tim Smith Real Estate Group, and Dani Gold, whose contributions helped create an unforgettable day that raised awareness and vital funds for CureDuchenne’s mission. 

For more information about CureDuchenne and how to get involved, visit www.cureduchenne.org. 

About CureDuchenne Twenty years ago, CureDuchenne was created with one goal: to find and fund a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, one of the most common and severe forms of muscular dystrophy. Today, CureDuchenne is recognized as a global leader in research, patient care, and innovation for improving and extending the lives of those with Duchenne. CureDuchenne’s innovative venture philanthropy model has advanced transformative treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, including 18 projects that 

advanced to human clinical trials and multiple projects to overcome the limitations of exon-skipping and gene therapy. In addition, CureDuchenne contributed early funding to the first FDA-approved Duchenne drug, pioneered the first and only Duchenne physical and occupational therapist certification program and created an innovative biobank and data registry, accelerating research toward a cure. For more information on how to help raise awareness and funds needed for research, please visit cureduchenne.org. 

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