Marco Simmons / Wand Fight Team & Mitchell's Journey
I just returned from a quick trip to Las Vegas to support a fundraiser for Mitchell's Journey. Marco Simmons, an accomplished MMA fighter, learned of Mitch about a year after he passed away and has been a big supporter of our foundation and a beacon of hope for young kids who have DMD ever since.
Wand Fight Team Martial Arts launched a fundraiser to support Marco, our cause, and raise awareness of this catastrophic disease. This was also their 10th anniversary, and they wanted to do something to pay it forward by sponsoring this fundraiser. They raised $2,000 for the Mitchell's Journey Foundation, and we are so grateful.
As I shared a little about our son's story and the typical course of DMD, I could see a look of compassion on everyone's faces, and it was clear their hearts were there.
I wish Mitch could have met Marco and his entire tribe because they're all remarkable humans, gentle giants who want to use their strength to lift and encourage others. I've grown to love and admire Marco for many reasons, but how he uses his incredible strength and skill to inspire other kids whose muscles are failing them is so inspiring. In fact, he created the hashtag #knockoutDMD as a symbol and call sign for the fight he's joined.
I wish all of Mitchell's Journey could see what I saw today -- the remarkable people, the unity of heart and purpose. It was so amazing. And, if you live in Las Vegas and want to see the kind of body and character-building Wand Fight Team promotes, please look them up and give them a visit. They're the real deal. I wish my younger self could have met them; I would have grown a lot.
Thank you, Marco & Wand Fight Team, for supporting Mitchell's Journey and for being a beacon of hope.
We're going to apply their funds and whatever we can raise over the next 2 months to support and develop our hope kit initiative - which are unique Mitchell's Journey care packages that offer messages of hope, courage, and perspective. We received a grant from PTC Therapeutics to get this project off the ground but could use all the help we can get. For there are more families in need of hope and perspective than we have the resources to support.