CALEB NICKERSON
BRISTOL Sept. 12, 2020
Though it was a little different from previous years, a local advocate participated in the annual Walk for Muscular Dystrophy (MD) this past weekend.
Jenna Keindel, along with her nephew Billy Keindel, took to the roads of Bristol and Clarendon for a . . .
5 km journey in support of research for MD and other neuromuscular disorders. While typically, she would have been joined by dozens of others in a large-scale walk that typically takes place in Gatineau, this year things were forced to go virtual.
“The national organization put out a livestream broadcast, they had some pre-recorded messages and stuff like that,” Jenna said. “I watched that from home … and then my nephew and I went for a 5 [km] walk … We did some videos along the way and I shared some of those on social media, just to bring awareness to the event and why we’re raising money.”
She explained that she recently found out that she doesn’t actually have MD, but rather a similar disorder, which highlights the need for further study of this family of diseases.
“We found out last year that I don’t actually have muscular dystrophy, which we thought I had for 23 years but rather I have an autoimmune disorder, which is still a neuromuscular autoimmune disorder, it’s just not genetic,” she explained. “Muscular dystrophy is more of a genetic gene mutation that causes protein differences. MD [Canada] funds research for all the neuromuscular disorders and that includes my disorder as well.”
MD and other associated disorders cause progressive weakness and a loss of muscle mass. There are a host of different subtypes that affect different parts of the body with a wide range of severity. There is currently no cure.
Jenna added that the MD Canada is very open about how their money is spent, with 36 per cent going towards specialized equipment and chapters. Another 25 per cent goes directly to research with 23 per cent going education, service and support programs and services. A further 16 per cent goes towards mission support and advocacy.
She said that despite the lack of other participants in the physical walk, she stuck with her usual goal of raising $10,000.
So far Jenna has raised a whopping $5,875 and will be collecting donations until the end of October. Those looking to contribute to the cause can do so online at https://muscle.akaraisin.com/walk2020/JennaKeindel or by sending an e-transfer to bdelightful@hotmail.com. Billy also has his own fundraising page at https://muscle.akaraisin.com/walk2020/billy.
