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The Discovery Channel's American Chopper Teams up With Cadillac to Raise Funds and Awareness for Cure Duchenne


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NEWPORT BEACH, CA--On Monday, May 30, 2011th, and Monday, June 6th, at 9 p.m./ET, The Discovery Channel’s American Choppers’ Teutuls will design and compete against one another with custom chopper creations inspired by Cadillac. Viewers will vote for the winning design and the choppers will be auctioned off to raise funds and awareness for Cure Duchenne -- the national nonprofit organization whose purpose is to cure Duchenne, the most devastating and lethal muscle disease diagnosed in childhood.

“We truly believe we can find a cure for Duchenne if we continue to keep it front and center in the minds of people. We are extremely grateful to Cadillac for its support.”

This is the first time father and son have faced off with competing builds for the same client since Paul Jr. left to start his own company. The two found a good reason to work toward a common goal in helping Cure Duchenne.

Following the big reveal at General Motors Design Center in Warren, Mich., in the second episode on June 6th, the choppers will be auctioned off with proceeds to benefit Cure Duchenne. The auction will take place on www.discoverychannel.com and will continue through the month of July.

Cure Duchenne Founder and President Debra Miller explained the Cadillac partnership has brought great resources to the organization over the last six months. “We have exponentially grown our awareness because of Cadillac. Millions of people now know what Duchenne is and the devastation it wreaks,” Miller said. “We truly believe we can find a cure for Duchenne if we continue to keep it front and center in the minds of people. We are extremely grateful to Cadillac for its support.”

During filming of the first episode of American Choppers in late April, Cure Duchenne boys and their families visited Teutuls Sr. and Teutuls Jr. at their workshops in Newburgh, N.Y., to serve as inspiration for the designs. Families included: the Gearys and son Dakota, 9, of Weirton, W.Va.; the McNarys and sons Austin, 12, and Max, 9, of Saxtons River, Vt.; the Capolongos, and son Michael, 4, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and the Franks and son Kevin, 11, of Emerson, N.J.

The second episode featuring the big reveal was attended by Cure Duchenne representative Mindy Cameron (parent of son Christopher, 9) of Newport Beach, Calif., the Van Houtens and son Kyle, 11, of Hartland, Mich.; the Maes and son Alex, 14, of Canton, Mich. Keith and Julie Van Houten are employed by General Motors Engineering and Jeff Maes is Cadillac’s Remarketing Manager.

About Cure Duchenne

Cure Duchenne, a national nonprofit organization located in Newport Beach, Calif., is gaining international attention for its efforts to raise funds and awareness for Duchenne -- a devastating and lethal muscle disease in children. One in every 3,500 male births results in a child being afflicted with the disease. Nearly 20,000 boys are living with the disease in the United States alone, and many will not survive their teenage years. The disorder knows no ethnic or social boundaries.

The funds Cure Duchenne raises support the most promising research projects aimed at treating and curing the disease with the help of its distinguished panel of Scientific Advisors from around the world. To date, six research projects have made their way into human clinical trials with support from Cure Duchenne. This accelerated push to move research from the lab into clinical trials could save the lives of those afflicted and give them hope for halting the progress of the disease. Very few health-related nonprofits have been as successful in being a catalyst for human clinical trials. Cure Duchenne also works tirelessly to bring awareness to the disease through extensive outreach, promotions and celebrity endorsements.