About

Fundrasing

Christopher and Aaron raise awareness and much needed funds by selling merchandise.

Hoodies, Shirts, T-Shirts, Beanies, Caps, Stubby Holders, Pens, Green Laces, Stickers as well as holding many different fundraising events around the region. Up until February 2020 the Gillin family raised over $150,000 that was shared between Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy Australia.

Unfortunately Aaron passed away in October 2017 aged 24 but this hasn’t stopped Christopher from pushing on with the campaign and continuing to raise awareness in the hope their dream of finding a cure for future generations comes true.

In February 2020 Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool became a registered foundation with a full committee and is now known as The Gillin Boys Foundation Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool INC. This change has allowed them to spread awareness of Muscular Dystrophy further and raise much needed funds for research and clinical trials on a larger scale.

Donations raised to date

Since the change The Gillin Boys Foundation has raised roughly another $425,000 and has made five significant donations to help find a cure of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

$35,000 donation to Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation in June 2020, $40,000 donation to the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Neuromuscular Clinic in June 2022, as well as three significant donations to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute $50,000 (December 2022), $100,000 (May 2023) and $100,000 (March 2024) that will be used for Duchenne research.

All the money raised by The Gillin Boys Foundation Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool goes directly to research and clinical trials to help find a cure so future generations don’t have to suffer the same fate as previous generations.

On September 17th 2024 an announcement was made confirming that The Gillin Boys Foundation Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Warrnambool has joined forces with Curi Bio and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute to bring cutting-edge 3D equipment to Australia that will be a game changer in the fight to end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The Mantarray, known as the genie’s lamp has been installed at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute thanks to our latest significant donation made to the Institute back in March and the amazing support from Curi Bio, based in Seattle.

FAQs

What is Muscular Dystrophy?

Muscular Dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.

There is 9 major types of Muscular Dystrophy: Becker, Congenital, Duchenne, Distal, Emery–Dreifuss, Facioscapulohumeral, Limb–girdle, Myotonic and Oculopharyngeal

There is currently no cure.

What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is the most common childhood form of MD.

  • Generally affects only boys (with rare cases of girls).
  • DMD progresses slowly, yet eventually involves all voluntary muscles and affects both the heart and breathing muscles in later stages.
  • Is most cases a wheelchair is required by the age 8-11 years and a life expectancy of mid-late 20’s.

“The More Funds We Raise, The Quicker The Cure.”