My best mate Drew has Muscular Dystrophy. We grew up together in country NSW – one of the funniest people I’ve ever met, a great guy with a great smile, the type of guy who has many best mates. We always knew he had Muscular Dystrophy but we didn’t really dwell on it, not because it was something we couldn’t talk about, it just didn’t occur to us to think there was anything wrong. Of course, we always wondered if we could ever help him out but he would never ask.

Until now.

Muscular Dystrophy is a cruel disease that slowly debilitates young men, eventually making the simplest of daily tasks impossible. So when Drew recently told a group of mates that he wanted to do something to raise awareness about Muscular Dystrophy, hands shot up around the room. I think it even surprised him at the support he had behind him. So, from that first Monday night beer at the pub in Double Bay, that was it: the beginning of Stand Tall for a Cure.

With the support of the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia, we want to help the thousands of people that have to live with this disease every day or watch their loved ones struggle to simply stand up. We think it is the least we can do for Drew. But, as he keeps reminding us, it is not about him, it is about Muscular Dystrophy.

Dan Spencer, best mate.

LONG TERM GOALS
Our vision has been to establish an ongoing charity in collaboration with the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, Australia. A board of four have been nominated to oversee its management in future years.

Our goal is to raise awareness of the disease and to raise money to go towards valuable research that can help find a cure! .

Stand Tall for a Cure will continue to raise awareness through events and contribute all proceeds to education and research through the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Australia. Apart from the Stand Tall Ball, we already have runners competing in marathons on our behalf and a Battle of the Bands dedicated to Stand Tall for a Cure in 2010 alone. We look forward to seeing it develop – this is just the beginning!

The Stand Tall Ball Committee

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