FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

News Release
January 26, 2005

Late this afternoon Jesse's Journey announced two milestones for the ten-year-old Foundation for Gene and Cell Therapy - announcements which the charity hopes will speed research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy and perhaps someday soon, save lives.

The first announcement is a $3,000,000 bequest to Jesse's Journey - a foundation dedicated to funding research into finding a treatment and eventual cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The bequest came from a St. Thomas, Ontario woman, the late Helen Patricia McMillan.

The second announcement being made by Jesse's Journey is the formation of the Duchenne Research Initiative and a $1,000,000 funding commitment. The research initiative will bring together three top researchers including a leading London researcher. The research teams are headed by Dr. Johnny Huard, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Michael Rudnicki, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Dr. David Hill from London's Lawson Health Research Institute.

Jesse's Journey - The Foundation for Gene and Cell Therapy has committed $1,000,000 to help fund the work of the Pittsburgh, Ottawa and London research teams which will work collaboratively in their efforts to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

"The two announcements are a huge leap ahead," said John Davidson, the founder of Jesse's Journey. "It brings together the incredible generosity of a single donor who believes in the importance of research, with the brilliant scientists who focus every day on finding a treatment and some day soon, a cure that will change the lives of families affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy."

For further information contact
rickmoss@jessesjourney.com
519-645-8855

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