Jett McSherry was five years old when he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most common and lethal childhood genetic disorder, which strikes one in 3,500 boys seemingly at random, with no apparent patterns relating to family history, race or ethnicity. It causes slow muscular degeneration, generally ending in death by age 20. Jett’s parents, Christine and Stephen, responded to their devastating news by creating TJF in 2001, determined to find a treatment or cure for the disease and to ensure that stricken children will have the opportunity to enjoy a full life. TJF has raised over $400,000 for research. To identify the most promising projects worldwide, it has consulted with leading experts, some of whom are on its board. Grant recipients have included: Project Catalyst, which is developing drugs to slow or halt the degeneration, and the Genetics Division at Children’s Hospital of Boston, which is investigating genetic repair for damaged muscle cells. TJF has a database of 3,500 people; it serves affected families as an information source and helps lobby Congress for federal funding toward Duchenne MD research. TJF is run by 40 volunteers in donated office space; it hopes to raise $500,000 in 2005. This is a philanthropic race against time — for all victims and their families; will you help?