Helping boys with Duchenne realise their dreams.

Not long ago, we learned that our cheerful, bubbly little boy Stijn had been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy — a genetic, degenerative disease that slowly weakens every muscle in the body, and for which there is still no cure.

Our lives changed that day. But as parents, we decided that Stijn's story would be one of hope, not only of loss. On his second birthday we founded The Stijn Foundation — to help accelerate the search for a cure, to raise awareness so other families might be spared, and to let Stijn, and every boy like him, know that the world cares.

This foundation is our promise to him: that for as long as it takes, we will keep reaching for the stars on his behalf.

Duchenne is caused by changes in the gene that makes dystrophin, a protein muscles need to stay strong. Without it, muscle gradually gives way — first in the legs, then the arms, and in time the heart and lungs. There is not yet a cure, but genetic-therapy research is more promising than ever, and awareness of screening can prevent heartbreak for future families. That is exactly where your support goes.