Centre for Muscle Research (CMR) Recognises World Duchenne Awareness Day

The Centre for Muscle Research (CMR), Dept of Anatomy and Physiology, hold annual special event to celebrate World Duchenne Awareness Day on 7 Sept.

^{Image: Prof Gordan Lynch with guests at CMR's World Duchenne Awareness Day event, 2025}

World Duchenne Awareness Day held each year on 7 September, aims to raise awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a devastating muscle disorder characterised by extreme wasting and weakness, and honour those living with the condition.

The CMR’s connection to DMD is a very personal one, based on the life and works of the late Dr. Savant Thakur, whose inspirational journey made an immense contribution to the lives of many in the Centre, the Department of Anatomy and Physiology, and the School of Biomedical Sciences.

On this day, The CMR was fortunate to be joined by Catherine Stace, CEO of Muscular Dystrophy Australia, David MacPherson and Ben Bugeja, scholars and MDA Australia volunteers with lived experience, along with their carers, Tom and Chris.

The Centre also welcomed Anil and Puneeta Thakur (parents of Savant), and Jenny Fryer and Peter McKenzie, parents of Nick and Chris Fryer, who provided a passionate insight into this year’s theme of “Family: The heart of care”.

Centre Director, Prof. Gordon Lynch, said “World Duchenne Awareness Day provides all of us an opportunity to recalibrate thinking and perspectives about DMD and all the neuromuscular disorders we study. Celebrating this annual event helps provide significant context, so that our researchers never lose sight of what they are trying to achieve, and how we can do this with vigilance and sincerity.”

It was truly inspirational to not only hear from those directly affected by DMD, but also to hear about Muscular Dystrophy Australia’s vision for the future. The day was a reminder of why we do what we do.

^{Muscle biology theme leader Dr Avnika Ruparelia}