One Little Boy. One Big River. One Chance to Save His Life.
Medford, OR, United Kingdom, 11th Apr 2025, – “It’s just one little boy,” they say. But to everyone who knows 6-year-old William Jackson, he is everything. Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) at just 2 years old, William is now in a race against time. And his family is rowing—literally—to save his life.
DMD is a rare, fatal genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle degeneration. There is no cure. Without treatment, boys like William typically don’t survive beyond their twenties.
But there is hope.
A nonprofit biotech company, Cure Rare Disease, specializing in genetic treatments, has developed a CRISPR-based gene therapy—an experimental, individualized approach that could extend his life and improve its quality. The cost? $2.2 million, with a staggering first payment of $800,000 due on May 1st.
This is where the race becomes real.
To raise awareness and money, William’s father, Joe Jackson, will embark on a grueling 157-mile nonstop rowing journey down Oregon’s Rogue River on April 25—a symbolic and physical testament to what families like his will do to save a child. Joined by his lifelong friends—Jeremy Leever, Shaun Olson, and five others—Joe will row for 36 relentless hours, through the night and over some of the most unforgiving terrain, all in the hope of giving William the one thing medicine hasn’t yet promised: a future.
“William is a bright, joyful first-grader who loves video games, dinosaurs, and his little brother, Benji,” said Joe. “Some days he needs a wheelchair. Most days, he just needs hope. He’s the bravest kid I know—and rowing 157 miles is nothing compared to what he faces every single day.”
They’re calling on the public for donations or to sponsor miles of the river, each one representing $5,000 toward William’s treatment. There are also opportunities to become Landmark Sponsors, securing an iconic mile, such as the thundering Powerhouse Rapid or the stunning Mule Creek Canyon, for $15,000.
This is a story about one child. But it’s also a reminder of what makes us human: the will to fight for each other, the courage to row upstream, and the power of community to change a life. To donate, sponsor a mile of Joe’s rowing journey, or share William’s story, visit his FUNDRAISING PAGE or www.WeRowForWilliam.org today.
Media Contacts:
Holly Morgan
480.888.6074
Media Contact
Organization: We Row For William
Contact person: We Row For William
Website: https://werowforwilliam.raiselysite.com/
Email: holly@hollymorganmedia.com
Contact Number: 14808886074
City: Medford
State: OR
Country: United Kingdom
Release id: 16576
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