CURRENT EVENTS
2018 is a very special year for Jesse’s Journey – it marks the 20th anniversary of John Davidson’s walk across Canada, and is also on track to be the year we grant our 10 millionth dollar to research!
Do you want to win big and help defeat Duchenne muscular dystrophy at the same time? Let's play Catch the Ace!
Catch the Ace is an online weekly raffle licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) starting July 17, 2020. Anyone in Ontario 18+ can play today, help #DefeatDuchenne, and WIN BIG!
A group of nerds got together and asked, "what if..."? What if we could gather a squad of the best people, produce a show, find a community, and raise money for a cure to Duchenne muscular dystrophy?
This inspiration is the fuel that powers Quest for the Cure - a live-play Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) web-series, where eminent D&D players get together to stream charity games online to raise contributions for Duchenne research. Watch and support the next Quest!
Next Game: Saturday, December 5, 2020, | 5 p.m. PST / 8 p.m. EST
Register now for the virtual Defeat Duchenne Family Forum – Canada’s only national educational event for people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their family members.
Presented by PTC Therapeutics and in partnership with BC Children’s Hospital, this is the fourth Family Forum hosted by Jesse’s Journey, providing the opportunity for you – families and caregivers navigating the Duchenne journey – to come together with researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals for a virtual weekend full of education, inspiration, and hope
The fourth annual Isaac’s Trek for Treats took place virtually on Saturday, October 24, 2020. Thank you to everyone who joined the van Asseldonk family in Acton, ON and helped raise more than $1,500 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research.
Thank you to everyone who joined the mission to #DefeatDuchenne this September!
New this year: Duchenne Awareness Month was recognized by the federal government of Canada! The month was filled with exciting announcements, fundraising events, and education to help raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy from coast to coast.
The Walk to Defeat Duchenne is the largest annual fundraiser for Jesse’s Journey and unites families from coast to coast to raise awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
This year, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of Jesse’s Journey, honouring the 1995 walk of John
Davidson as he pushed his son, Jesse, across Ontario. Originally scheduled for May 25, 2020, we quickly reimagined the in-person event and successfully hosted the largest Walk in our 25-year history - 100% online!
Click here to learn more and donate!
For many in the Duchenne community, video games are not only a source of entertainment but a way to transcend physical limitations and build a wide network of friends from around the world.
With 56 gamers, a big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this year's event helping to raise funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Maggie Aynsley and Kasha Mitton, creators of The MASH Movement, hosted this first-ever Live in the MOVEment - 25 days of movement, mindfulness, and motivation in celebration of Jesse’s Journey 25th anniversary.
For $25, 310 participants from across Canada and beyond received 25 days of live events and pre-recorded online fitness classes from a line up of wellness leaders from across the globe.
Thank you to everyone who supported the virtual Brian Connor's 12th Annual Rice Lake Challenge.
Cyclists, swimmers, paddle boarders and walkers - came together to participate in their own community throughout August, all in support of Duchenne muscular dystrophy research.
In honour of Isaac’s seventh birthday his mom, Meghan van Asseldonk, ran for 24-hours on Friday, May 29, 2020.
Thank you to everyone who supported Meghan and made a donation to fund research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Due to COVID-19, the Defeat Duchenne Family Forum presented by PTC Therapeutics and in partnership with La Force DMD was transformed from a one-day "in-person" program into a series of four virtual events from May 20 - 30, 2020.
Thank you for joining us as we came together with researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals to learn about the latest in Duchenne care and research.
Thanks to you, our donors and supporters, Jesse’s Journey has been the leading funder of Duchenne research in Canada for the past 25 years.
Through your support, researchers from around the world have made great strides, working towards increasing the quality and longevity of life for people living with Duchenne. The pipeline of potential treatments has never been so full of promise and we invite you to learn about the 2019/20 Jesse's Journey Research Grants.
Stephen and Rachael Prendergast are launching Cullen and Caden's Cause in honour of their fight against Duchenne for their two young boys. Please join them as they dedicate their lives, in partnership with Jesse’s Journey, to ensure Cullen and Caden’s lives remain full of joy and possibility.
On Mother's Day, we celebrated YOU - the wonderful Duchenne caregivers and mother's across Canada.
Maggie Aynsley from Power Yoga Canada and Kasha Mitton from Yoga Now Kamloops hosted a free hour of virtual yoga.
Jesse's Journey hosted a webinar, COVID-19 & Duchene: FAQ, on Thursday, April 2, 2020, to help answer questions from the Canadian Duchenne community.
Click here to watch the webinar recording.
Thank you to the six healthcare partners and Duchenne experts for sharing their guidance on how you can continue to keep your family safe: Dr. Craig Campbell Pediatric Neurologist and Director of the Neuromuscular Clinic Children’s Hospital London Health Sciences (London, Ontario) Dr. Jean Mah Pediatric Neurologist and Director of the Neuromuscular Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital (Calgary, Alberta) Dr. Jordon Sheriko Physiatrist and Medical Director of Pediatric Rehabilitation, IWK Health Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia) Dr. Erin O’Ferrall Adult Neurologist, Montreal Neurological Hospital (Montreal, Quebec) Dr. Refika Ersu Pediatric Respirologist, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Ottawa, Ontario) Dr. Karina Top Infectious Disease Specialist at IWK Health Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
The University of Ottawa Human Kinetics Students Association (HKSA) hosted its third annual Indoor Volleyball Tournament in support of Jesse's Journey and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Looking to Volunteer for Jesse’s Journey? Fill out the form here
Past Events
Join us on November 2nd, 2019 for our Defeat Duchenne Family Forum in Calgary, Alberta.
This unique event - tailored to families in Canada affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy - features updates from researchers, clinical trials in Canada, standards of care, pharmaceutical progress, registries and why the matter, 'how to' advocate and much more!
On October 26, 2019, the third annual Isaac’s Trek for Treats took place at Tanners Drive Park in Acton, ON to raise money for Jesse’s Journey, to fund Duchenne muscular dystrophy research. Isaac’s Trek for Treats is a family-friendly costume trail run along the path through Tanners Drive Woodlot.
Donations are still being accepted: here.
It was another beautiful day at Rice Lake for the 11th annual Brian Connor's Rice Lake Challenge.
Cyclist, swimmers, paddle boarders and walkers all participated throughout the day raising more than $20,000!
To donate to Brian Connor's Rice Lake Challenge, click here
It was another great day for the 11th annual Brock Janes Golf Classic.
More details from the day coming soon!
An automotive extravaganza like no other!
May 31, 2019
Big Top Show and Kickoff Party featuring:
Paul Revere’s Raiders
Mitch Ryder
Rare Earth's Peter Rivera
Gary Lewis & The Playboys
June 1
Car show - 7am-5pm
Big Top Buffet Dinner Show featuring Tony Orlando
June 2
Car show - 7am-5pm
For more information about the car show and tickets for the Big Top shows, visit http://www.fleetwoodcountrycruizein.com/2019.html
Sponsored By:
Register now for the Walk to Defeat Duchenne in Springbank Gardens, London ON. Create your personal fundraising page, collect pledges, and walk the route through Springbank on May 26! Click here for more details or to register.
Presented by: 
Join us on May 25, 2019 for the first Defeat Duchenne Family Forum and Celebration Dinner.
This unique event – tailored to families in Canada affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy – will feature updates about the latest research, clinical trials currently recruiting in Canada, the International Preferences for Duchenne Treatments study out of Johns Hopkins University, and more.
Join us at London Honda for our annual fundraising BBQ in support of Jesse's Journey! Make a donation and enjoy your lunch and find out more about the great work we are doing on May 24 and 25.
https://www.londonhonda.com/
Join us for the 2nd annual Virtual Walk-Run-Roll! This virtual event is perfect for individuals, families, friends, or co-workers who want to raise funds to support Duchenne muscular dystrophy research and would prefer to walk, run, or roll in their communities.
Click here for more information about the Virtual-Walk-Run-Roll and to register!
Thank you to the Human Kinetics Students Association for hosting their second annual Indoor Volleyball Tournament for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy! The event sold out and raised $900 for Duchenne research! Thank you!