Category Archives: Featured

Ribbon Cutting 2024

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On December 4th members of the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation Board, the Marzolf family and members of The University of Minnesota gathered to celebrate the official ribbon cutting for The Greg Marzolf Jr. Muscular Dystrophy Center. It was an evening 20 years in the making and made possible by the committed support of this community. Thank you!

The re-naming of the MD center in Greg Jr.’s honor solidifies his legacy, reminds us that life is precious and time is of the essence to fund a cure to MD. The re-naming also cements our powerful partnership with the University of Minnesota. We recently announced our Capital Campaign with the goal to raise one million dollars in the next five years to fund a cure to MD.

Below are photos from the recent ribbon cutting ceremony

Major progress in funding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

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On July 17th, researchers at the University of Minnesota took a pivotal step towards finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Myogenica, a University of Minnesota startup company, announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for MyoPAXon — an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived muscle stem cell product to regenerate skeletal muscle. A pending clinical trial would evaluate the safety, tolerability and engraftment of MyoPAXon in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

Dr. Peter Kang, a pediatric neuromuscular neurologist and director of The Greg Marzolf Jr. Muscular Dystrophy Center at the University of Minnesota Medical School, would lead the proposed early-stage clinical trial.

“We believe stem cells have enormous potential as a tool for muscle regeneration in muscular dystrophy and the timing is perfect to move toward a human clinical trial of this type of therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy,” said Kang.

If the proposed trial is successful, it has the potential to treat a range of muscular dystrophies, as well as other muscle degenerative conditions.

Patty Marzolf, President of The Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation cheered this news, “This is a tremendous and very significant step in the GMJF’s quest for a cure for all living with MD. My heart is filled with gratitude, joy and new found hope for what is ahead.”

This development has been made possible by your steadfast support. Dr. Rita Perlingeiro previously expressed the impact of your commitment, “No words can really describe the impact of the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation funding to me and to our research over the years. The Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation was the FIRST to fund this translational project. With seed funds from 2016-2018, we were able to produce enough data to be competitive for larger grants, including awards from the Department of Defense and Duchenne UK. In 2021, we could count again on the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation, when our funding was not sufficient to cover all the costs associated with the preclinical work required prior to IND-submission to the FDA.”– Dr. Rita Perlingeiro

Thank you again for your continued support in the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation, we are grateful for this community and the remarkable work of these researchers.

To read more about this exciting development: LINK TO PRESS RELEASE

To donate to the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation: Click here to donate

Donate to the Foundation

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The Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation was founded to help people with muscular dystrophy (MD) by raising awareness through philanthropic activities and supporting research for a cure to MD. The foundation works every day to make life better for all those struggling with MD.

Your gift will help us:

  • Facilitate the development of clinical, translational and basic research on MD
    Enhance and support clinical care of patients
  • Improve the educational experience for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students interested in the fields of basic and clinical muscle research
  • Increase interaction and support from the regional community of patients and families concerned about muscular dystrophy.
  • And more!

Every dollar you provide to the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation goes towards supporting our mission of fighting MD through research, education, advocacy and service. Together, we share a hope for a tomorrow free of muscular dystrophy.

Please donate using the PayPal link below, or you may contact us to find out how you can help advance the work of the Foundation.

The Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation has been approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c) 3 organization, as prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code. Gifts to the GMJF are tax-deductible.

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