Our Why

Started as a grassroots fundraiser in 2008, after Ryan became the first person in the world with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to be successfully treated with mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Ryan wanted to start a fundraiser to help more people like him be able to access this life-changing therapy. Coming Together for a Cure was the name of the first fundraiser and we never could have imagined what it would turn into! 

We quickly realized there were no other organizations dedicated to raising awareness and educating on the benefits of stem cell therapy for DMD and other rare diseases – we knew we had a responsibility to help advance this therapy so others could realize the benefits. 

CTFAC works relentlessly to raise awareness, fund research, and help families around the world access stem cell therapy and resources that support their fight against rare diseases. We are driven to push for continued access to this innovation in medicine. 10 years in we are more committed than ever to continue to build strategic partnerships to advance resources to strengthen our global impact.

This is our why and we continue to realize the dire need for our role to drive advocacy and support to help more families we relate to.