1 May 2015: PAYCE Project manager Michael Malak is a long way from home as he treks his way down the Hume Highway with a bunch of fellow fundraisers.
He has a blister the size of a golf ball on his foot but is in good spirits as he walks 320 kilometres from Sydney to Canberra.
He has joined a group Save Our Sons, walking to raise money and awareness for a rare disease – Duchenne Musculor Dystrophy.
DMD is a fatal condition that mostly affects boys.
Usually Michael is keeping a watchful eye on PAYCE’s developments across Sydney, but has been sponsored to join the walk.
“It is such a great opportunity to join a great crew and raise awareness about this deadly disease,” he said.
“My legs are pretty sore and I do have one very large blister on my foot but it is a small inconvenience compared to the suffering boys with DMD go through,” Michael said.
The group set off on May 1 with father and founder of the charity Elie Eid leading the fundraising group.
He is pushing his son – a DMD sufferer – in his wheelchair to Parliament House in Canberra where they plan to arrive on May 12.
“Elie is a true inspiration and as the father of boys myself I really applaud his efforts to raise awareness about DMD,” said Michael.
The disease causes aggressive muscle degeneration that leads to the inability to walk and eventually death.
Several celebrities are also walking to assist raise awareness, including former rugby league player and media identity Mark Geyer and hard rocker Angry Anderson.
Elie has already helped raise $3.5 million to fund clinical trials for a cure.
The group will provide information to parliamentarians on the clinical trials to date.
“It has been an amazing opportunity to participate in the walk and I am confident we can make a difference,” Michael said.
“It’s so important to raise awareness, but also find a cure so these boys can live a longer life,” he said.
The weather has been mixed for the crew, but Michael said the wonderful bond in the group was pushing the team to Canberra.
“There has been some long days, but we have been very well looked after by the support crew.”
To donate got to https://fundraise.giveeasy.org/campaigns/walk-to-save-our-sons/ or text WALK to 0438 744 919 to donate $5
