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Canton Pediatrics doctor and her co-workers to run to raise awareness for local boy suffering from rare muscle-wasting disease

Posted 9/23/15

Dr. Patty Rissacher, pediatrician, pauses for a photo with patient Jacob LeValley in her Canton office. CANTON -- A doctor from Canton Pediatrics and her co-workers will run to raise awareness of a …

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Canton Pediatrics doctor and her co-workers to run to raise awareness for local boy suffering from rare muscle-wasting disease

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Dr. Patty Rissacher, pediatrician, pauses for a photo with patient Jacob LeValley in her Canton office.

CANTON -- A doctor from Canton Pediatrics and her co-workers will run to raise awareness of a local boy suffering from a rare muscle-wasting disease.

Even on the best of days, exercise can be a chore, but a patient of Dr. Patty Rissacher has given her a whole new perspective on her daily training runs. Jacob LeValley, a 9-year-old local youth diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare, progressive muscle-wasting disease, has been a patient of Rissacher and Canton Pediatrics since her arrival three years ago.

On Oct. 3, Rissacher and the entire office of Canton Pediatrics will run in the World Health 5K, hosted by students of Clarkson University’s physician assistant studies program to raise awareness of the disease and to raise funds to support the expensive medication Jacob needs. The event supports physician assistant students’ mission trips. A donation from the race’s funds will be given to LeValley as well.

“I’ve always been really active,” said Rissacher. “I played soccer in college, and when my husband was deployed with the Vermont State Air Guard, I started running in road races to maintain an outlet beyond caring for my patients and my kids. Now it’s taken on a new meaning,” she said.

“Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a rare disease, affecting about 1 out of 3,500 boys. It is a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and degeneration, including the muscles of vital body systems such as those of the heart,” said Rissacher.

She noted that LeValley was one of her first patients and back then, had a lot of energy.

“He could get onto the examination table without help,” she said. “Now, he’s much more limited in his physical activity, although emotionally he has terrific spirit and drive,” said Rissacher. “He has a loving and supportive family who want to do the best they can for him.”

About a year ago, LeValley’s medication was changed to a drug not covered by insurance, according to Rissacher. Luckily, it is making a difference in his overall health. Unfortunately it has also put a serious strain on the family’s finances.

“I wanted to find a way to help Jacob and I have been amazed by the generosity and support of our community,” said Rissacher. “A couple of months ago I had unexpected surgery and when I realized I am not ready to run the distances I usually run, the entire office agreed to run the 5K with me in support of Jacob. I’m so honored to work in such a supportive community with such caring people.

“Currently there is no cure, but Jacob is resilient: he’s one of the strongest children I know. Research into new treatments and a possible cure is being conducted daily, so Jacob and his family are pursuing every avenue.”

For more information or to support Rissacher’s efforts for LeValley, interested people can visit the LeValley family’s GiveForward website at http://gfwd.at/1fdhyoc.

Those interested in participating in or supporting the World Health 5K can contact Lindsey Weldon, PA student, at weldonlm@clarkson.edu or visit the run’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/880710635369767/.