Roscommon twins invited to take part in a 'groundbreaking' clinical trial
George and Isaac Naughton, aged 14.
Roscommon twins George and Isaac Naughton, aged 14, have been invited to take part in a groundbreaking clinical trial in the US.
The boys live with a life limiting illness, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a disease from which sadly their older brother Archie died at just 16.
Their heartbroken parents – Paula and Padraic Naughton – are today issuing a new appeal for support for their Join Our Boys trust, which the couple set up in 2014, to help bring their children from their home in Roscommon town to the US for the trial.
This trial offers hope, not only for George and Isaac but for many other children battling the catastrophic disease DMD. It aims to prove that a specific treatment can slow down cardiac damage which causes cardiomyopathy; a life-threatening complication of DMD.
In 2012, all three boys were diagnosed with DMD – when Archie was just six and the twins were two and a half. DMD is a catastrophic muscle wasting disease which has already impacted on the boys’ ability to walk, use their limbs, or even hug the people they love.
Those who live until their late teens are likely to become totally paralysed and will eventually die of respiratory and/or heart failure. George and Isaac are paralysed and in wheelchairs. They are now struggling to use their arms.
Paula said this is a critical step forward in the fight against this devastating disease.
“Our family are honoured that George and Isaac have been chosen to participate. While this opportunity brings hope, it also comes with a significant financial cost,” she said. “To ensure George and Isaac can receive the first 20 treatments each, the Join Our Boys Trust is hoping to raise €650,000 by January 6th 2025. We appreciate that this is an enormous figure for Join Our Boys Trust to achieve there we have no other choice but to try.”
The funds raised will support 20 treatments each for George and Isaac to keep their hearts healthy whilst Join our Boys Trust strives to identify a permanent cure for DMD.
Join our Boys Trust is asking people to support this monster fundraiser by buying tickets for the Join Our Boys Trust bumper Christmas raffle.
Donations can also be made via the ‘Save our Hearts’ fundraising page.
