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Kade McCann, a senior at Whitinsville Christian School, is using his Capstone Project to help raise awareness and funds for people afflicted with neuro-muscular disease. This is more than a typical research paper. This is personal for Kade after receiving his diagnosis of Myotonic Dystrophy DM1, a genetic form of muscular dystrophy.

Kade was diagnosed in 2016 after having trouble with his breathing while training for the upcoming cross country season. “I have always loved science, and long before my diagnosis I planned to study genetics and biomedical engineering in college,” said Kade. “Through an Honors Anatomy class and a Virtual High School class on Biotechnology, I had already learned about neuro-muscular diseases like mine so when I was diagnosed, I knew what I was facing with this disease.” His symptoms include loss of muscle mass, fatigue, and gastrointestinal dysfunction.  “I spent many days in Boston Children’s Hospital with kids who had similar conditions, but were worse off than me and I felt that I wanted to help them but I didn’t know how. One day a representative from the Muscular Dystrophy Association met with me to explain the work they do and I realized this was how I could get involved.”

During their senior year, WCS students are offered the choice of writing a research paper or completing a Senior Capstone Project, a program launched six years ago. Between 10-15% of students choose to complete a Capstone Project. These are year-long projects must expand the student’s knowledge of a topic, be recorded in a blog, and be supported by a mentor. Students must make a final presentation of their project to the Capstone Committee at the end of the school year. Kade saw this as the perfect opportunity to increase awareness of MD, and to make a positive impact.

Kade’s Capstone Project proposal was to hold a muscle walk at WCS. That event will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2017. In addition to the walk, Kade has arranged for Dr. John Carulli, a senior executive from Biogen, to speak at WCS about neuromuscular diseases and specifically, Myotonic Dystrophy DM1 and the research taking place to find therapies to help people like Kade. That event will take place on April 7, at 7:00 p.m. Brady Bajema, WCS Faculty member, is one of Kade’s mentors. “It has been inspiring to observe the journey Kade has taken in response to his diagnosis,” said Brady. “The time, energy, and thought Kade has put into this project is truly rooted in his deep desire to help build awareness for MD.” Kade has also been successful rallying support for this cause from many corporate sponsors throughout the greater Blackstone Valley such as Agape Animal Hospital, Astrella Ink, Idea Kindler, Koopman Lumber, Mirick O’Connell, Votary Media, Webster 1st Federal Credit Union and Whitinsville Family Dentistry.

For more information on Kade’s Muscle Walk, please visit https://www.whitinsvillechristian.org/support-wcs/walkrun-for-the-mda-at-whitinsville-christian-school/