***UPDATE***

A BIG SHOUT-OUT TO GEOFF BELLO FOR COMPLETING THE PHILLY MARATHON AND FOR SETTING A NEW PERSONAL BEST TIME!!! IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN PHILLY AND GEOFF GUTTED OUT AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE FSH SOCIETY. THANKS SO MUCH GEOFF. PLEASE SEE PHILLY MARATHON PICTURES ABOVE.

***UPDATE***

DUE TO SUPERSTORM SANDY AND THE CANCELLATION OF THE 2012 NYC MARATHON, GEOFF BELLO IS HEADED SOUTH TO RUN IN THE PHILADELPHIA MARATHON ON NOVEMBER 18 IN SUPPORT OF FSHD AND THE FSH SOCIETY. HE IS TRULY COMMITTED TO FINDING A CURE!!!

Over the last three years, Geoff Bello has run in the NYC Marathon in support of the FSH Society and this year he has some help! Becky Bridges and Angela Aurich will be joining Geoff as they labor through the grueling 26.2 mile course to raise money and awareness for the FSH Society. I can’t begin to express my deepest gratitude to Geoff, Becky and Angela. I am so blessed to have such great friends and I’m thrilled to have their support.

Half a million people worldwide have FSHD, it's an “orphan” disease that faces an uphill battle to attract research funding and drug company investment. It’s rare enough that many doctors don’t recognize it, and countless patients suffer undiagnosed and isolated. The disease typically causes the muscles of the face, arms, shoulders and legs to deteriorate. It is relentless and can be profoundly disabling, with patients unable to smile, raise their arms, or walk.

The FSH Society’s seed grants led to the discovery of the genetic origins of the disease. Recently, a worldwide research collaboration identified promising targets for therapies that may interfere with the production of toxic proteins believed to cause FSHD muscle wasting. This groundbreaking research offers hope for not only the millions of patients struggling with FSHD, but for those with other genetic diseases as well.

While the recent progress is very encouraging, we still have lots of work to do and I need your help. With your support, I know we’ll find a cure!! No donation is too small.

Sincerly,

Jeff Johnston