By Darrell Halen
Neil Gallagher doesn’t have a family member afflicted with muscular dystrophy. Neither does Jerry Ouellette.
But soon, for the fourth time, the two Windham residents will run a marathon to raise money to fight the neuromuscular disease.
They will do so at the Walt Disney World Marathon, a 26.2-mile course hosted by the renowned Florida resort.
It’s a cause important to one of Gallagher’s teaching colleagues at Woodbury School in Salem, Patrick Moeschen, 35, a music teacher who has Becker Muscular Dystrophy, a disorder characterized by weakness and muscle wasting.
“We’re going to run marathons anyway. I’d just as soon do it to benefit a cause I’m personal with,” said Gallagher, 58, who knew Moeschen when he was a student at Salem High School. “I do believe there will be a cure for this. Money drives research, there’s no question about it, and research will find a cure.”
Gallagher and Ouellette, 63, are raising money for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, whose mission is to improve the treatment, quality of life and long-term outlook for people affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy through research, education, advocacy and compassion, according to the organization’s Web site.
Duchenne is a fatal progressive disorder, occurring primarily in boys, that causes loss of muscle function and independence. It is similar to Becker but more severe.
In 2005, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy recruited runners for the Disney Marathon. An 86-member team raised $186,000 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research.
Since then, Run For Our Sons has drawn hundreds of participants and families and raised more than $1 million, according to PPMD.
“All these people are a family, not by choice, but by necessity. But one nonetheless,” Moeschen said. “Everyone is really supportive.”
This year’s Disney Marathon will be held Sunday, Jan. 13. This will be Ouellette’s 14th Disney run. It will be the 13th time for Gallagher.
“You run through all the Disney parks,” Gallagher said. “They treat you like royalty. You see all the characters. There’s crowds, there’s music. There’s medical (help) everywhere. It’s just a wonderful time.”
There are runners there for other causes, too, including those raising money to fight leukemia, breast cancer and birth defects. Gallagher and Ouellette have been participating in Run For Our Sons since its inception.
Gallagher teaches language arts and social studies. Ouellette works for Raytheon. When they participate in Disney marathons, they pay their own way to travel and stay in Florida.
“It’s nice to do something to help somebody else,” Ouellette said.
To participate on the Run For Our Sons team, a $1,200 entry fee is required. Moeschen has set a fundraising goal of $2,500.
Sponsors are donating money, and like previous years, Woodbury students will help the cause. Students attend a social where they can make a $2 donation, listen to music and learn more about MD.
“We’re asking the community to focus on this particular fundraiser because it is so important to us,” Gallagher said of the marathon. “It is personal. It’s part of the Salem School District. There is a cure out there. It’s doable I think.”
Moeschen, who uses a wheelchair, teaches band and music appreciation and runs an after-school jazz program. He was diagnosed with Becker in 1985 when he was 11. He was walking until he was 30.
“I do personally benefit, not by the money raised, but by being uplifted by these two people that really don’t have to do anything but choose to,” Moeschen said. “They choose to run and they choose to run in my honor. They help me raise money but giving their names to this cause. So the personal benefit is huge because it helps keep me going.”