"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" 

September 13, 2013 - Jim and Karen Raffone received news no parent should ever receive– they were told that their child was dying. On that day, 4-year-old, Jamesy, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD): a rare mutation of the dystrophin gene that results in severe muscle degeneration. To date this this horrific diagnosis has no cure and is 100% fatal.

The only advice provided “go home and love your son”.  From this day, JAR of Hope was born and the journey was under way against all odds.

The first step of this journey began by raising awareness from the humble beginnings of push-ups in a driveway by a determined father, to a campaign of gyms across the nation, to events around the world.

The awareness has helped bring DMD to the forefront and grown Team Jamesy from a family of 5 to an army of thousands around the globe.

The second step was to find a cure or delay the illness until a cure was found.   Efforts to reach this milestone have culminated in an evaluation of a methodology and treatment including several other children inflicted by this horrific disease with potentially positive signs of success.  

The Next Step

The next leg of this journey requires an IND and a fully supported trial to further evaluate and identify a potentially life altering treatment before time runs out. In order to accomplish this, sponsorship and funds are needed.

OCT. 12th, 2020: The walk starts:

Team Jamesy will continue its journey of a thousand miles by bringing awareness to Washington DC. This attempt will include 260 miles over 8 days from our Nation’s capital to New Jersey on foot. Jim Raffone has committed to doing anything and everything to save his son and other children inflicted by this devastating disease.  The discomfort, struggle and agony that will be endured along this trek will be temporary, the potential ramifications of a successful trial will be forever.

The Finish: All American Ford in Old Bridge, NJ and Lombardi Field in Old Bridge:

Team Jamesy will make the last sponsored checkpoint at All American Ford in Old Bridge on Monday, October 19th roughly around noon. And then it's on to the official finish line at Lombardi Field in Old Bridge, NJ, just 2 miles away. There will be a celebration party and Mayor Owen Henry and Congressman Chris Smith will greet us.

Ford has been a loyal and proud sponsor of JAR of Hope. Our journey will end in celebratory fashion with our partners at All American Ford, while engaging other dealerships and supporters along the way to further the cause.

Join our fight and our journey. Every step counts. Please help us reach our destination.