World Duchenne Awareness Day 2024 granted patronage by European Parliament

Amsterdam, 18 June 2024 — The European Parliament has officially granted its patronage to World Duchenne Awareness Day 2024, which will take place on 7 September 2024. This endorsement was granted by Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.

We are honored to receive the patronage for World Duchenne Awareness Day 2024, and receiving recognition for this cornerstone event for the Duchenne community. This year’s theme is ‘Raise your voice for Duchenne‘.

The announcement is following the United Nations official designation of September 7th as World Duchenne Awareness Day. The resolution, adopted by consensus unanimously by all Member States, was the UN’s first formal acknowledgment of a day dedicated to a rare disease.

“This endorsement by the European Parliament is a huge boost for the visibility of Duchenne, and the World Duchenne Awareness Day”, says Elizabeth Vroom, chair of the World Duchenne Organization. “In addition to attracting media attention and public interest, hopefully it can gather more momentum for our ongoing advocacy efforts for policies that create better lives for people living with dystrophinopathies.”

The World Duchenne Organization would like to thank the European Parliament and in particular Mrs Metsola for this acknowledgement.

2024: Raise Your Voice for Duchenne

Raise your voice for Duchenne

The World Duchenne Awareness Day 2024 theme is ‘Raise your voice for Duchenne’. World Duchenne Awareness Day (WDAD) is an annual event held on September 7. With this year’s theme, WDAD supports creating a society that provides equal opportunities for all. This year we organize the 11th edition.

This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of amplifying voices to advocate for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and other dystrophinopathies.

On September 7 we invite everyone, irrespective of their personal connection to Duchenne, to join in creating a more inclusive world where people living with disabilities are empowered to thrive.

WDAD Documentary

On September 7, the World Duchenne Organization will launch a WDAD documentary that portrays the lives of people living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy across the globe and to share their journeys, challenges, and successes. The documentary captures the resilience and determination of the Duchenne community in building positive change everyday.

For inquiries, please contact Suzie-Ann Bakker, communications coordinator at the World Duchenne Organization.