Darius turns 21…TODAY!
September 27, 2010
TODAY is the 21st birthday of Darius Weems.
After spending nearly five years on the road raising money and awareness for his disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), it is safe to say that almost no one deserves a drink more than “Big D.”
Darius doesn’t want any alcohol for his birthday, though. He doesn’t drink. Instead, Darius wants to spend his special day helping scientists come up with a concoction that will slow the progression of DMD—the #1 genetic killer of children in the world—in young men his age.
You can help make this birthday wish come true by donating a “drink” on this new and entertaining website.
Our goal is to put “999 bottles of DMD research on the wall.” We’re already at nearly 300, so please buy a ‘drink’ now!
All money raised in this campaign will benefit Pilot Trials Now (PTN). PTN is a research project that supports clinical trials for boys with DMD, using re-purposed FDA-approved drugs. We’re excited about this project, because if an ALREADY-approved drug proves effective for issues related to DMD (which they do), then the treatment can be almost immediately distributed.
Basically, PTN stands to benefit DMD patients of all ages—–even 21!
So, let’s knock out these 999 bottles and toast to the hope of many, many, many, many more birthdays to come!
21 Responses to “Darius turns 21…TODAY!”
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Accompanied by eleven best friends, Darius Weems, a fifteen-year-old living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), leaves home for the first time in his life. The rowdy crew sets a course for California where they hope to convince MTV to customize Darius's wheelchair on the hit show, Pimp My Ride. Darius Goes West has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people of all ages all around the world.
The Movement
Darius Goes West is more than a film. The continuing story of Darius, his crew, and the tens of thousands of supporters they have met in their travels can be experienced on this website. This site is continually updated with short videos, blog posts, and innovative initiatives that aim to affect a cure for DMD.
DGW is a registered 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization. All proceeds benefit Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research.
Happy Birthday Darius!
I trust that Vegas is treating you right on your birthday…
I attended the Muscular Dystrophy Canada Youth Action Conference in Toronto this past weekend and had the opportunity to chat with you via Skype on Sunday Morning…you certainly inspired a lot of people that morning even if you where still in Bed!
As a Fire Fighter who has supported Muscular Dystrophy Canada for over 21 years I applaud you and your friends for your efforts and social action for people with neuro muscular disorders.
Young men and women like you (and your friends) are why I do what I can to provide funding and awareness for research $$$$! You guys inspire me are my heroes…
Darius keep smiling and fight the fight buddy, my fellow fire fighters and I promise to do our part!
Cheers.
Lieutenant, Mike Nicholson
Strathcona County Emergency Services
Chair, Muscular Dystrophy Canada Fire Fighter- Advisors Prairies Region
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[...] a DMD cure that now seems so tantalizingly close. Darius, who continues to defy the odds, recently turned 21 years old and the Darius Goes West crew continue to come up with innovative ways to spread their message and [...]
Darius, we just watched your movie! Though it was really cool! A DMD cure is probably very close. Glad you are partying in Vegas! Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Darius,
I have recently watched your movie, I feel so sorry for you! I want you to know that my friends and I are praying for you! By the way thats an AWESOME wheelchair!!
Darius, we just watched your movie! Though it was really cool! A DMD cure is probably very close. Glad you are partying in Vegas! Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey! Darius, I just got done watching your movie! I’m so happy you got to do all those things. I’m praying for you!
Love, Reality
Hey Darius happy iam glad that you came to Collins high last Tuesday It gave the students a chance to get to know a little about you, I want you to know that i think about you all the time and what a joy it was to meet you.
Hey Darius iam glad that you came to Collins high last Tuesday It gave the students a chance to get to know a little about you, I want you to know that i think about you all the time and what a joy it was to meet you.
Hey Darius. Im Destiny and I just wanted to say dat chu are duh best guy ever, You rock and I wish I could meet chu someday. Your videos n stuff relle touch my heart & bring me in tears. i HOPE dey find a cure for this disease in my generation here. Im a young teenager from a little school, who love to see good change. And I hope you guys suceed. BTW yo wheelchair is duh stuff main. I respect chu and I love you and I hope dat you could someday meet me and my friends here at school. It would show them what a wonderful person you are and how important it is to save lives. Thank ya for showing me dat life is too short and dat you need to live it yo best and at duh fullest. Good Luck Bro!
Hi Darius my name is Krystin and I saw your story on a doritos bag and it really touched me so I looked you up and found this! My boyfriend has BMD which is similar to yours just a slower progression and he just can’t seem to let his pride go and get a wheelchair. He can’t walk and it hurts for him to stand. It is very difficult for me on a daily living basis because we were just blessed with a son on february 8th, 2011. So I have to carry the both of them. And getting around takes a lot of time. Its not easy caring for an adult and a newborn. I was just wondering if you were ever planning on making it to Madison, Wisconsin or Chicago, Illinois if so I think it would be really inspirational for him to meet up with you! He is 21 and will be 22 this year. He also likes to rap, its his dream to be a famous raper one day but he doesn’t think it’s possible since he can’t walk. If you could please somehow let me know any advice or if you two could meet up one day.. it might be too much to ask, but I still had to.
Thanks! And you are truly an inspiration!! :]
Happy Birth day Darius
From Levi
happy late birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just saw your movie in my health class the other say and we just finished it today. Your story really touched me and even though it might be late i really wanna say
HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY DARIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just saw your movie in my health class the other say and we just finished it today. Your story really touched me and even though it might be late i really wanna say
HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY DARIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Darius your video was very sad and very funny i must say that you have open my eyes to this disease. I have never heard of this disease before ever in my life untill we watch you movie in my health class and it really opened my eyes up. Now that i have heard of this Disease i am going to do anything in my power to help you and anyone else with DMD and i hope you can find a cure soon….i know its way late now but happy birthday i really do hope it was a good one.
FROM- SAM
Hello Darius,
You are such a great inspiration to everyone. Your out look on life is absolutely amazing. I am 18 and wanting to be in Law Enforcement, I saw your video the other day and it made me want to try harder for something you love. I wasn’t trying hard at all, I have to admitt i have been lazy but i still cared about everyone around me to the full extent. But after watching your video it just makes me believe in myself more than what i used to. I never judge anyone on any kind of disability. I am disabled for reading and speech impairment but i never gived up. I now read 3 or 4 books a week and i speak another language!! My teacher quoted you on our bored for quote of the week
“You can’t stop yourself from coming to earth and you can’t stop yourself from leaving, But you are here in life to make something of yourself” - Darius weems
This quote means a lot to me. You don’t have to give up something you love because people think you are incapable of doing it, because one thing is your are never incapable of doing anything. Thank you for you inspiration.
also happy late late birthday!
From Sara S.
hey Darius,
I just watched your movie the other day and can say i almost broke to tears. What your doing not just for you but for other people with DMD is amazing, i could never imagine how it is to go threw something like DMD. And even though seeing you with DMD you never let it bring you down, you stuck through it. I admire that alot. i hope you will have a great successs with rasing money for a cure.
From, Allie
And also HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARIUS i hope you had a wonderful one!!
Darius,
I watched your movie today, and I want to say that I think that you are a very strong person for what you have done!!! (: you helped me in many ways!! My mom is a parapelegic, and I know how hard it is for her when there are no ramps for her to get into a building. You are such a courageous person, and I thank you for what you have done in this country! I love you, even though I do not know you, i consider you my Brother! I hope that you had a great birthday, and that you will have many more to celebrate!!!
love,
Amber Smith<3
Hey Darius! So, I’m really excited because I’m one of Mr. Basset’s Class and We will be video chatting with you on thursday! When my JMG class watched your video, I was really touched. I’m really proud of you for sticking through with all the things you’ve been through and I can’t wait to actually talk to you! I hope you’re doing really well. See you soon!
-Amanda