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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday October 29, 2008 - 7 Hope for MD at the end of Amazing Race By Tim Whitnell METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP As family, friends and classmates continue to rally around Eric Morden, the youngster's thoughts are on rallying around north Burlington. The eight-year-old Oakville resident is getting ready, along with his parents and brother, to once again take part in Eric's Amazing Race. Named for Eric, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (MD), the Saturday, Nov. 1 event is held annually in support of research into MD and gene-cell therapy. The sixth annual edition of Eric's Amazing Race involves the usual car rally followed by a silent auction. A scavenger hunt car rally takes people through the countryside in rural Burlington and outlying areas. Teams are required to keep an eye out for clues while on the road for 50 kilometres. The team that completes the route in the fewest number of total kilometres, with the most correct answers, wins a prize package. The event is loosely based on the TV show The Amazing Race. To date, more than $75,000 has been raised for MD research by Eric's Amazing Race. Eric's mother said her younger son Devin, 7, does not have MD. Eric, she said, is coping the best he can with his illness. "He's doing very well," said Darlene Morden. "Events like this bring about so much support for him. He's embraced it." She said Eric likes to be one of the clue spotters in the family vehicle during the rally sharing the duties with Devin and a cousin. "His spirit is so up. It's a fun thing for him to do," said Darlene, adding with a chuckle that the kids like to "sing annoying songs" while searching for rally clues. Eric has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), one of nine types of MD, a group of genetic, degenerative diseases primarily affecting the voluntary muscles. The illness almost exclusively affects boys. It is caused by the absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. Symptoms include generalized weakness and muscle wasting first affecting the muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders. Calves are often enlarged. DMD eventually affects all voluntary muscles, including the heart. Currently, Eric walks unaided. Although too much physical activity is not good for him, his mother said the Grade 3 student at Chisholm Public School stays as active as possible noting he is involved with Cubs, regularly attends the Oakville YMCA and participates in the Track 3 skiing program for youths with disabilities at Glen Eden in Milton. Darlene said five families with children with Duchenne MD are expected to take part in the rally. In all, more than 30 vehicles and in excess of 100 people are expected to participate. About 400 people are expected to attend the auction afterwards. "For a lot of the people in our world (of MD) it gives them something to do," Darlene said of the rally. She singled out the efforts of Heather and Ted Lindsay, Eric's aunt and uncle. "The beauty of this event is that every dollar received goes to research," he said. All proceeds will go to Jesse's Journey, a registered charitable organization raising funds for gene and cell-based therapies focusing on Duchenne MD and other genetic neuro-muscular diseases. The Eric's Amazing Race car rally starts at noon in Burlington at Bruce T. Lindley School, 2510 Cavendish Dr. It ends at The Waterdown Legion, 79 Hamilton St. N., in Waterdown, where a silent auction will begin. The auction will run from 3-7 p.m. Entertainment at the auction will be provided by the Burlington Teen Tour Band Drum Line and local musical group Semi-Tone. The cost to enter the car rally is $10 per person; there is no cost to attend the auction. Registrations for the rally will be taken at Lindley until 1 p.m. Donations of auction items are being accepted. Call or email Heather or Ted at 905-3316874 or tether69@hotmail.com with any questions or donations. DON'T PAY RETAIL! FACTORY OUTLET SALE INSTALLATION OF CROWN MOULDING, OUTDOOR & INDOOR COLUMNS BY PROFESSIONAL FINISH CARPENTERS Pamper Yourself Here With A Free Trial Stay There's no better way to experience our hotel-style services. Discover a community of adults who don't want to act retired. Call Jill Voytek for all the trial stay details. COLUMNS New for the Do-It-Yourselfers premade corners for all our profiles Over 70 smooth or patterned profiles 905-469-3232 www.delmanor.com Or drop by 1459 Nottinghill Gate (just west of Dorval, south of Upper Middle) WAINSCOTING People's Choice Award Winner 3 Years in a Row... Thank You Oakville! ideas. Showroom Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5, Thurs until 7, Sat 10-3 www.elitemouldings.com In Home Design Consultation Available. 201 Millway Ave., Unit 6 (One light north of Hwy. 7 & Jane) 905-760-1665 or 416-245-1115 5