Our Mission

Founded in 2007, Ballou Skies has donated $175,000 directly to Muscular Dystrophy research. ​Our mission is provide funds to push forward life-altering DMD research.

Watch the video below to hear about the cutting edge DMD trial Ballou Skies supports. You'll hear from Ryan Ballou, Ty Ballou and Dr. Raman.

"Ballou Skies is a great example of how dedicated people working together can make a tremendous difference in fighting even the most serious conditions."

JOHN KISSEL, NEUROLOGIST, OHIO STATE WEXNER MEDICAL CENTER

Working to Cure DMD

For boys with DMD, the risk of heart complications increases with each passing year. If we can somehow slow down, or even stop these heart complications, we can buy time for better treatments or maybe even a cure.

The main focus of Ballou Skies is to raise awareness for the cardiac research taking place at the Ohio State University heart clinic and gain funds to aid their life-saving research.

At OSU they are testing boys of different ages with MRI technology. These MRI scans show the doctor a patient’s heart from every angle, allowing every aspect of the heart to be scrutinized. The goal of this is to check for scarring and other heart problems and then track these problems with future MRI’s. This allows boys, and their families, to know if there is a complication before it may become untreatable.
Imagine longer life spans, and a better quality of life.
This disease offers many challenges and complications, but with this treatment, we can take some of the worry off of the families and the individuals suffering from this disorder.

​If we can help to slow down the deterioration of the heart, this may lead us to finding solutions for other muscles and in turn could aid in finding a cure to DMD.

What is DMD?

Muscular Dystrophy is a terminal, degenerative muscle disorder that affects all muscles within the body. It weakens the musculoskeletal system and hampers movement. There are numerous different variations of Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrohopy (DMD) is the most common and severe form of MD among children. 
​​DMD is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. Eventually all muscles fail, including the heart. Currently there is no cure, but physical therapy and medications can improve quality of life. 

The trial at OSU is actually lengthening the lives of those afflicted with DMD by focusing all efforts on cardiac health.
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​D I A G N O S I S
  • DMD typically affects boys
    • There are very rare cases of it affecting females
    • DMD is an X-linked recessive inheritance pattern and is passed on by the mother
  • 1 in 5,000 males are affected with DMD at birth
  • Symptom onset is in early childhood, usually between ages 3 and 5
  • DMD can be confirmed with a blood test

S Y M P T O M S
  • Progressive proximal muscle weakness of the legs and pelvis and a loss of muscle mass is observed first
  • Eventually this weakness spreads to the arms, neck, and other areas
  • Most patients are wheelchair dependent by age 12
  • Loss of movement occurs, eventually leading to paralysis
  • People with MD are in wheel chairs, because their muscles being to degenerate to the point of loss of function, however, there is no nerve damage.
    • Ryan can feel his legs, feet and arms, he just has limited movement
    • This disease does not affect cause cognitive limitations as any kind as you can see from Ryan's amazing work

L I F E  S P A N
  • Until recently, boys with DMD usually did not survive much beyond their teen years
  • Thanks to advances in cardiac and respiratory care, like the OSU trial, life expectancy is increasing
  • Survival into the early 30s is becoming more common, and there are cases of men living into their 40s and 50s
To learn more, check out Duchenne.com and the Muscular Dystrophy Association's page on DMD.

How We Raise Money

Since 2007, Ballou Skies has donated $175,000 to the heart scan trial at Ohio State University. We have three unique paths to contribute.

DONATIONS

You can make a donation directly on our website, or via check. You donation goes directly the the OSU heart clinic trial.

PRODUCTS

We have a few Ballou Skies products in our store. A portion of the proceeds from those purchases goes to Ballou Skies.

TRIATHLON TEAM

Our triathletes raise money and awareness during their races. Ballou Skies Chicago requires a minimum donation to join the team.

Ballou Skies News

Heart Drug Improves or Stabilizes Heart Function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
WEXLER MEDICAL CENTER | 2017
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Study Offers Hope for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patients - Drug regime slows progression of heart failure
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE | 2014

Heart Drugs Offer New Hope to Slow Cardiac Damage in Muscular Dystrophy
WEXLER MEDICAL CENTER | 2014

Clinical Trial First to Test Heart Drug Regimen for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
CINCINNATI CHILDREN'S | 2012

Heart Failure Drugs Preserve Muscle in Muscular Dystrophy 
WEXLER MEDICAL CENTER | 2011

Ballou Skies: Funding the fight against MD
WFTV 9 ABC FLORIDA | 2011

Peanut butter sales provide funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE | 2010
2 Penn Center West Suite 115
Pittsburgh, PA 15276
Email info@ballouskies.com
Call 412.787.8800

THE MISSION OF BALLOU SKIES IS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR GROUNDBREAKING DMD RESEARCH

Copyright © 2017