Sep 25, 2009 4:20 pm US/Central
Northwestern's Fitzgerald Joins 'Coach To Cure MD'
College Coaches To Raise Awareness Of Muscular Dystrophy
EVANSTON, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald talks with David Tellez, the 12-year-old son of CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez, about "Coach To Cure MD." David was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was 9.
CBS
If you're planning to watch some college football over the weekend, you may notice something a little different. It's something the coaches will be wearing to call attention to a terrible disease. CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports on the effort, and her personal connection.
They were happy little boys -- crawling, walking and playing sports. But by the time Tellez's son David was 5 years old, his family noticed he had a tough time keeping up with other kids. That's when they learned he had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or DMD.
DMD is a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle loss and while it's the most common lethal disorder diagnosed in childhood – with no cure – a lot of people have never heard of it.
That's where college football coaches come in. This weekend, coaches will wear special patches on their arms and appear in videos to raise awareness and funds to fight DMD.
Nine-year- old Dominick Servi, 11-year old Tim Wagner, and Tellez's son David – who's now 12 years old – went to Northwestern University to thank Wildcats Coach Pat Fitzgerald for taking part.
Fitzgerald greeted the boys warmly. Since David loves sports figures, he willingly agreed to interview Fitzgerald for this story.
"So why did you decide to do the Coach for a Cure?" David asked Fitzgerald.
"Well, when we were approached as coaches we thought it would be a great way to give back a little bit and help a tremendous cause," Fitzgerald said.
"Our entire coaching staff will be doing it," he added. "Last year we wore it and we had tremendous awareness raised because all of our games are on national TV."
Last year, more than 2,600 coaches participated; a number they're hoping to double this year.
Dominick's family is thrilled about it. "I think it's fantastic," said his mom, Cynthia Tiede. "One of the things we're so lacking in this disease is to have awareness. That's the only way we're going to find our cure. "
Tim's mother Ellen Wagner agreed. "I think it's like a forgotten disease and when you see national ads for diabetes and other diseases that don't seem to be quite as dire as muscular dystrophy is, it's sad that we don't' see it for muscular dystrophy," Wagner said.
Tellez told the coach that all the parents hoped he knows how much they and the boys appreciate his efforts.
Fitzgerald said he "absolutely" knows what the effort means to them.
"And you know you're our heroes. When we get an opportunity, you inspire these guys," Fitzgerald said. "These guys look at you and they think how strong you are and how tough you are and wish they could play with the kind of fight and courage that you have."
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy said that one in every 3,500 boys is born with this disease. A third of them have no family history. It can occur spontaneously, as it did in Tellez's family. Most cases are diagnosed between the ages of 2 and 6.
During college football games this weekend, announcers will tell viewers how to donate to help find a cure. Last year's effort raised $270,000. You can learn more about donating by visiting
parentprojectmd.org or
coachtocuremd.org.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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