Helping to fund a new breakthrough in muscular dystrophy treatment is within reach of local residents through the third annual Reach for a Cure wine-tasting and silent auction in Sandy Springs on April 22.
Muscular Dystrophy Association of Atlanta spokeswoman Emily Clines said in a statement that treatment for a rare disease, Freidreich’s Ataxia, has a healthy prognosis.
“Development of a promising experimental medication to treat FA is proceeding with help from a $731,534 grant MDA awarded to Repligen Corp. of Waltham, Mass., in December,” she said. “This is the second research grant that MDA has awarded to the small biopharmaceutical company, thanks in part to successful fundraisers like Reach for a Cure.”
Repligen’s drug is in the testing phase, but if it works to restore protein it can benefit consumers like Sandy Springs resident Jon Zilles.
Zilles, 31, attended Woodland Charter Elementary School, Sandy Springs Middle School and St. Francis Day School in Roswell. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2002 from Auburn (Ala.) University.
He has two dogs — Mango, an 11-year-old golden retriever, and Phelps, 1, a golden retriever and Labrador mix.
However, unlike most family pets, these dogs are trained Canine Assistants service animals.
“The dogs have really helped, not only for pulling my chair all around campus, but for breaking down social barriers and having your best friend next to you all the time,” Zilles said. “It’s great. They help not only physically but emotionally.”
Physically, the disease — resulting from a recessive gene donated by both parents — affects coordination, muscle control, speech and energy levels in about 80,000 residents nationwide and 200 residents in Georgia, 27 of whom are in the metro Atlanta area.
Linda Zilles said her son, diagnosed at age 11, gradually lost his ability to walk, run and play sports.
“His coordination was a little off,” she said about his early symptoms. “He was awkward.”
Ms. Zilles and her husband Dave are co-chairs of Reach for a Cure.
“Research has gotten closer to finding an answer,” he said. “We wanted to raise funds.”

if you go

n What: Reach for a Cure MDA fundraiser
n When: 7 to 10 p.m. April 22
n Where: The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North hotel, 7 Concourse Pkwy. NE, Sandy Springs
n Cost: $65 per person in advance only
n Information: visit www.reachforacurefa.org