The Valparaiso football program, in partnership with the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), will be participating in the fifth annual Coach to Cure MD this Saturday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. when the Crusaders host Butler University at Brown Field. The goal of Coach To Cure MD is to raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood.

Coach To Cure MD was a one-day, nationwide awareness building and fundraising event that was held on Sept. 29. Since Valparaiso had a bye week, the football program will take part this weekend.

Valparaiso head coach Dale Carlson, a member of the American Football Coaches Association, will join other AFCA members in wearing a Coach to Cure MD logo patch on the sidelines. By wearing this patch, coaches will show their support for Coach To Cure MD and the fight against muscular dystrophy.

Fans in attendance Saturday will be asked to donate to research projects supported by Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest muscular dystrophy nonprofit in the country. Donations can also be made online at www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word CURE to 90999 (a $5 donation will automatically be added to your next phone bill).

Muscular dystrophy is a progressive muscle disorder that causes loss of muscle function and independence. Duchenne affects approximately 1 in 3,500 boys worldwide.