Vision for the Future 2020 raises more than $100,000 toward a tomorrow free of Muscular Dystrophy

Annual Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation Cause to Cook for a Cure gala fundraises record-breaking amount for local Muscular Dystrophy Research. Guests purchase 434 cookbooks to be donated to families facing a new MD diagnosis 

Friends of the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation (GMJF) came together on Saturday, January 11 for the annual Cause to a Cook for a Cure gala and raised a record-breaking $103,000 for Muscular Dystrophy (MD) research at the University of Minnesota.

The event – with a theme of Vision for the Future: 2020 — was a celebration of friendship, community, the progress that has been accomplished to fund a tomorrow free of MD, and the goals ahead.

“I am thrilled by the amazing generosity and momentum for the future we witnessed at this year’s gala,” said Patty Marzolf, president of the GMJF. “We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and everyone who came out to celebrate with us.”

“Through the love, hope, and generosity of friends we have always worked hard and have always believed in a cure,” she said. “All of you have made that difference. Not only in our lives – but you have made the difference in the lives of children, young men and women, adults and families all living with MD.”

All proceeds from the event will benefit the critical research and outreach programs of the Paul and Sheila Wellstone MD Center at the University of Minnesota.

The event was held at the James B. Woulfe Alumni Center at the Anderson Student Center of the University of St. Thomas. See photos from the evening here.

A highlight of the evening was guest speaker Nick Misgen, who shared his experience of living with MD and his vision for the future through on-stage remarks and an inspiring video he recorded with his family.  

Also during the program, Patty Marzolf presented this year’s recipients of the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation Champion Award. This award goes to individuals that have continually ‘championed’ the cause for a cure to MD with steadfast dedication and unwavering spirit for GMJF. 

This year’s winners are Patrick Marzolf and Jennifer Myhre. Patty said, “These two honorees have brought enthusiasm, objectivity, originality, clear thinking, humor, creativity, disagreement, love, blood, sweat and often tears to every single event that GMJF has ever produced or was in partnership with. Their effort and devotion as volunteers when young developed into leadership roles that have made a huge difference in fundraising dollars through all these years.  Their vision for new events plus their energy and tenacity to enrich the spirit and growth of the Foundation Board and Committees has been invaluable to the longevity and success of the foundation.”

Patty also recognized the recipients of the GMJF’s grants program. This year, GMJF is giving a total gift of $80,000 to dedicated researchers at the University of Minnesota. The recipients are as follows:

• Dr. Peter Karachunski, “Clinical Research Coordination for MD Center Faculty Driven Clinical Research”
• Dr. Atsushi Asakura, “Angiogenic therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy”
• Dr. DeWayne Townsend, “Exploring sex-differences in MD to develop new therapeutic approaches”

In addition, the GMJF funds the Greg Marzolf Jr. Trainee Program awarding three scholarships annually to undergraduate researchers in basic research.  These awards are highlighted annually at Greg Marzolf Jr. Symposium held at the U of MN in the fall.

At the event, Jenny Myrhe also provided an exciting update on the “Come to the Table” Cookbook Project. The cookbooks, which  provide family stories and healthy food recipes for anyone, including those living with MD, are available for pre-sale now and will be shipping later this year. Jenny issued a “cookbook challenge” to the crowd, in which guests purchased 434 cookbooks that will be donated to clinics throughout the U.S. These donated cookbooks will be given to families with a child who has recently been diagnosed with MD, with the aim of providing hope and community though the joy of “coming to the table” and sharing in a family meal.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for a successful evening!

Thank you to our event sponsors for their generous financial and in-kind support:

New logo by Tom Seivert!

You may have noticed our new look.  After more than 15 years we decided it was time for an update and in stepped local independent graphic design artist Tom Seivert.  Tom generously donated his time and immense talent to the foundation and the result is a logo design that is new and fresh but also pays homage to our history.  Tom was able to incorporate the shooting star theme and the original signature design from our old logo into a more modern style.  If you are interested in Tom’s work please email him at ccmeaston@gmail.com or check him out on Linked In at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-seivert-0282a01a/.  Thank you Tom!

The Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation initially helped fund a groundbreaking research project at the U of M that recently received a nearly $1 Million grant for developing a cell-based therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

You can check out the progress and article at the U of M website here.

The Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation has recently sent out our 2019 newsletter which highlights our end of summer updates!  Check it out for the latest news and features!

You can check out the story from KSTP below.

The 2019 Cause to Cook for a Cure gala, “Come to the Table,” on Jan. 12, 2019 raised a record-breaking $95,000 to support local research for a cure for Muscular Dystrophy (MD). 

All proceeds from the event will benefit the critical research and outreach programs of the Paul and Sheila Wellstone MD Center at the University of Minnesota.

This year’s event celebrated our upcoming Cause to Cook Cookbook, “Come to the Table,” which focuses on local families living with MD, great food, and the important community that has supported research for a cure for over 30 years (since the first cookbook was created!).

The Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation (GMJF) also honored Mike Runyon & Ted Casper (The Nook) and Billy Mauer (Mauer Chevrolet) for their generous support of the GMJF mission over the years.

Sarah Kasner, a mother of two young boys with Duchenne, spoke at the gala about the challenges of living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy since the diagnosis a year ago. But she also shared the joys, beauty and hope she has found in her boys, husband, community, and the generous donors who believe in funding research for a cure to Muscular Dystrophy. The Kasners will be a featured family in the upcoming Cause to Cook Cookbook “Come to the Table.”

Thank you to our event sponsors for their generous financial and in-kind support:

The Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation helped fund a project at the U of M that developed a video game to help assess muscle function in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

You can check out the article and video at the U of M website here.

We’re proud to share that the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation has received a sought-after “Strategies to Realize Innovation, Vision and Empowerment (STRIVE) Award.” The STRIVE Awards were created by PTC Therapeutics, Inc., to help nonprofit organizations committed to serving the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) community.

“We are thrilled to have won this STRIVE Award, which will help us make a huge difference to the lives of people affected by Duchenne,” said Patricia Marzolf, President of the GMJF. “The grant will help us create the Cause to Cook for a Cure Cookbook, a DMD patient and community cookbook featuring recipes and personal stories of patients and families affected by DMD to promote healthy eating amongst the DMD community and raise awareness.”

This current initiative is inspired by the 30th anniversary of the original Cause to Cook for a Cure Cookbook, that was created after Greg Marzolf Jr. was diagnosed with DMD. Family, friends and local celebrities contributed recipes which were compiled into a cookbook that raised money and built community. It was such as success that the GMJF felt it was time to reinvigorate the concept and tap into the current cultural interest in food.

The cookbook project will be kicked-off at the annual GMJF Cause to Cook for a Cure Gala on January 13, 2018, at which time more details will be shared about how to get involved. For example, a Facebook group will be created enabling families to share recipes, discuss the positive impact of the cookbook, and the impact on healthy eating and cooking habits. The goal will be to have the finished Cause to Cook for a Cure Cookbook available at the 2019 Gala.

The STRIVE Awards recognize the vital role patient advocacy groups play in improving the lives of individuals affected by DMD, and grants are awarded to facilitate unique, inventive ideas or programs that support patients and families within the Duchenne community.

Award entries were received from 32 organizations from across the world. An independent panel of external experts with knowledge in rare diseases, patient advocacy and funding initiatives judged entries for feasibility, creativity, budget, impact and sustainability. The GMJF was one of five organizations to receive the Award, with judges commending the “innovative and collaborative” nature of the winning applications.

For more information on the STRIVE grant and other recipients, click here.

The Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation has recently sent out our 2017 newsletter which highlights our 15th Anniversary and the progress that has been made in the quest for a cure to MD!  Check it out for the latest news and features!

Last year, 2016, was an incredible year for research and innovation in Muscular Dystrophy. For the first time, a drug for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) was approved by the FDA.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved eteplirsen injection in September 2016. This drug is specifically provided for patients who have a confirmed mutation, skipping exon 51, which affects about 13 percent of the population with DMD.

In December of 2016, the FDA approved Spinraza, the first drug approved to treat children and adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare and often fatal Muscular Dystrophy. Spinraza is an injection administered into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. On February 21st, 2017, the University of Minnesota was the first facility in the Midwest to administer the drug to a patient receiving the commercial treatment.

Patient Sophie Lathe and her family are ecstatic about the approval, stating: “We are so honored to help make a path for other SMA patients. There are so many who can benefit from this drug. “

Shaken, Not Stirred generates $75,000 for MD Research

Shaken, Not Stirred: 0017, the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation (GMJF)’s Cause to Cook for a Cure fundraiser on Jan. 28, generated more than $75,000 to support local research for a cure for Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

The spy-themed event also marked the first big opportunity for GMJF to celebrate its 15^th year as a foundation in 2017.

A video shown at the event captured the progress that has been made over the past 15 years and the hard work that remains to conquer MD.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the critical research and outreach programs of the Paul and Sheila Wellstone MD Center at the University of Minnesota.

Two-hundred and fifty people – including researchers, supporters and families living with MD – came together for the annual event at the James B. Woulfe Alumni Center at the Anderson Student Center of the University of St. Thomas.

KFAN’s Paul Lambert, aka “Meatsauce,” served as emcee of the program, during which he chatted with families and researchers to showcase the urgent and dire need for funding firsthand.

Patty Marzolf, president of GMJF, presented this year’s recipients of the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation Champion Award and Innovation Award.

• The Innovation Award went to board member Jamey Moeller. Patty said: “Jamey never says no, has served in many roles, is willing to take risks, thinks big and does whatever is best for the vision and future of the foundation and ultimately for the patients and mission we serve.”
• The Champion Award went to board member Kathy Moriarty. “There is nothing better to have in your corner than someone who truly and outwardly believes in your work and actually talks about it, encourages others to participate in events and recruits people to get involved,” said Patty.

Patty also recognized the recipients of the GMJF’s grant program. This year GMJF’s board decided to provide two $35,000 grants to two research labs at the University of Minnesota’s MD Center. The winning grant recipients are:

• Dr. Rita Perlingeiro: The GMJF grant committee determined to renew this grant due to the impressive headway that is being made by the Perlingeiro Lab. They have begun communication with the FDA, and a pre-IND meeting will be scheduled for March. They state in their application: “The support from the GMJF will be essential to move this research program forward, not only to enable the potential future treatment of DMD patients, but to lay the groundwork for what we believe may be one of the first diseases to be treated by a pluripotent-cell based therapy.”

• Dr. DeWayne Townsend: The high costs of trials result from the need to enroll large numbers of ambulatory patients. To address these deficiencies, Dr. Townsend’s lab has developed a hand-held device that functions as a video game controller. The force applied to the hand-held device controls the movement of a character in a video game. This novel approach allows exercise protocols to be implemented in both ambulatory and non-ambulatory patient populations. Dr. Townsend states in his application “It is our contention that further development and validation of this technique will dramatically lessen the cost of clinical trials, allowing more therapies to be evaluated quickly moving us closer to a cure.”

This year’s featured speaker was Joline Dalton, a genetic counselor at the University of Minnesota’s MD Center who also serves on the GMJF board.

“What makes us never want to give up is the fact we have been impacted by the kids, adults and families affected with muscular dystrophy we’ve met over the years,” she said. “It is clear this community has more to offer than all of the amazing research we get to be part of…. These individuals are and have the potential to become inspiring teachers, prophetic writers and brilliant scientists,” she said. “But, more importantly, they need to become the world’s best Dad with the T-shirts to prove it and best friends that are here forever. Muscular dystrophy shouldn’t – and can’t– continue to rob us of these contributions.”

Thank you to our generous sponsors!