FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 14, 2008
CONTACT:
Jennifer Wiederkehr
Voice: (973) 467-1211
Email:
info@MattsPromise.org
STILL DECIDING ON YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS?
HELP IS JUST A CLICK AWAY
Sit down and stand up for change: Make a difference by supporting Matt’s Promise, a local NJ charity
Millburn, NJ, January 14, 2008 – It’s not as time consuming or as tiring as getting tighter abs. In fact, it only takes 60 seconds and it doesn’t even require you to get up from your computer. This January Matt’s Promise is asking you to vote online for Tracy Seckler, co-founder of Charley’s Fund.
Matt’s Promise (www.MattsPromise.org), a non-profit foundation headquartered in Millburn and dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people affected by terminal illnesses, has the opportunity to help raise $35,000 for its cornerstone project, Charley’s Fund. Charley’s Fund is an organization dedicated to directing money into the hands of researchers who have the best shot at developing a treatment or cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children around the world for which there is no current cure. What’s the connection you ask? Tracy Seckler has been chosen as a national finalist for a
Smart Cookie Award by Condé Nast’s lifestyle magazine for moms,
Cookie magazine. If chosen, Tracy will receive $35,000 for the charity of her choice (Charley’s Fund, of course)!
Cookie magazine created the
Smart Cookie Awards in 2006 to recognize, celebrate, and support mothers who are making a significant difference for women and children while balancing the everyday demands of modern motherhood. Tracy, mother to Charley, a 7-year-old son with DMD, was chosen for her vision and dedication in founding Charley’s Fund (
www.Charleysfund.org). In addition to high-profile honorees from the fields of health, politics and science, the award recognizes an “everyday extraordinary mom,” who is elected by the visitors (that’s you!) of Cookie’s website, as the people’s choice.
Voting began January 9th and closes February 8th and people can submit their vote by visiting www.cookiemag.com/go/smartcookie.
"We are very excited that our core project's founder has been singled out for her extraordinary leadership," said Randy Reiff, President and co-founder of Matt's Promise. "Not only does her nomination acknowledge Tracy's amazing devotion and accomplishments, but voting for Tracy could provide Charley's Fund with much-needed money to further advance a critical initiative which we directly support and about which we are deeply passionate." Mr. Reiff concludes, "We're thrilled to celebrate Tracy with the rest of the country and we urge everyone to sit down and vote!”
Jennifer Wiederkehr, co-founder of Matt’s Promise who grew up in Morristown, recently lived in South Orange and currently resides in Short Hills agrees, “The possibility of Charley’s Fund receiving funds and national publicity could well be the tipping point for helping us find a treatment for DMD in enough time to save Charley’s life and thousands of boys just like him.”
Last year’s reader’s choice winner, Heidi Breeze-Harris, co-founded One By One, a nonprofit organization committed to ending obstetric fistula worldwide. She was featured in the May 2007 issue along with other high-profile winners, including Sharon Stone, Mariska Hargitay, and Cynthia Nixon.
About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD):
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children around the world. Children with DMD cannot produce dystrophin, a protein necessary for muscle strength and function. As a result, every skeletal muscle in the body deteriorates. Although Duchenne is the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children, there is no cure.
About Matt’s Promise:
Matt's Promise is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people affected by terminal illnesses. Our commitment, through select funding of treatment, research, education and support programs, is to advance the fight against these diseases and to assure the most comprehensive, innovative and compassionate care. For more information, please visit www.MattsPromise.org.
About Cookie Magazine:
Cookie is a family lifestyle magazine published by Condé Nast Publications and the winner of Ad Age’s 2007 Launch of the Year. Tailored to the
sensibilities of parents with young children, it covers fashion, travel, food, health, home, and beauty in a modern way, giving moms permission to retain their "pre-motherhood" sense of style and adventure. For more information, please visit
www.cookiemag.com.
