On July 9, the German Central Park, 7863 York Road, Parma 44130 will be alive with food and fun. This is the ninth JOA Inc. Picnic to support research and treatment for Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). This year there is: hole-in-one, kids games, live music, awesome raffle baskets, great food, Jungle Terry and exotic animals, and never before an Awesome Nerf Battle – (BYO Nerf Dart gun and JOA will supply the darts) “Prove your power.” All this fun and excitement working to Derail Duchenne’s.
DMD is one of the nine types of Muscular Dystrophy. It is a fatal disease that attacks young children, mostly boys, due to a tiny flaw in their genetics that prevents the body from making dystrophin a complex protein necessary for muscular health. Without dystrophin muscles can’t expand and relax or be protected from injury. With DMD all skeletal muscles, heart, and organs slowly deteriorate unable to function.
COURAGE, FORWARD! Over the past nine years John “Owen” and his family faced every doctor’s appointment, every treatment, and possible treatment with fortitude; they have turned obstacles into a life adventure. Adventures take courage, lots of it. During the 26th annual Cleveland Clinic Children’s Gala; presented by the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans, the Clinic honored John “Owen” Dumm, “A young patient who demonstrates great character while coping with a challenging medical condition, with the eminent ‘Courage Award’, May 7, at the Cleveland Convention Center.”
This past October, Owen decided to make his wish with “Make a Wish.” He wished for a tree house, A TREE HOUSE. Yes, he wished for a tree house so he and his brothers could do everything you do in a tree house, laugh, eat, have friends over, and sleep out. The amazing tree house is being constructed by Payne and Payne Builders with a small army of volunteers to do the work. Construction was to be finished by July 4. Lydia Esparra of Channel 19, reported that Denise Duffala talked to Owen’s Dad, Tony, “It was incredible. I woke up one morning to find all this equipment, materials and people in the back yard ready to build the tree house. I don’t have words to describe it; just truly a blessing.”
Life for the Dumm family is really busy. Between July 4 and the Fabulous JOA picnic on July 9, there is almost a little time to breathe. Jen Dumm is always grateful, “We have an enormous group of supporters in this community. We have four to five events a year, and we are so blessed that for the nine years we have been fighting this battle, everyone continues with their ever loving support.” The JOA Picnic at German Central Park is the largest event. Last year there were between 1,800 and 2,000 supporters in attendance. Jen also says, “Thank you to our amazing friends at Mansour Gavin LPA for making the JOA Picnic in the Park their 2016 Company Picnic event! What a blessing to have the constant support of this amazing group of professionals, always seeking ways to #derailduchenne! This year we hope to raise $50,000 for Duchenne research and treatment.”
JOA Picnic in the Park at German Central Park, 7863 York Road, Parma. Saturday, July 9, from 4 ‘til 10 p.m. Fun, Food, Games, Music, Raffle Baskets, Entertainment, and most of all wonderful people having a picnic to derail Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy. www.JOAinc.org

By LINDA KWARCIANY
Contributing Writer