Pietrosfight.org held its second annual 5K on Saturday, September 20th “The Second Heat”. The weather was picture perfect, as we spent the day along Brooklyn’s scenic 69th Street Pier. Runners, walkers, and strollers all showed their support as they proudly wore #51, representing the most common missing exon for boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Two years ago we started our foundation to raise money and create awareness for a rare genetic disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. I think it’s safe to say that the Bay Ridge Community knows what DMD is and who this beautiful little boy Pietro is. Everyone who crossed the finish line, gives us the much needed support and boost to push forward and continue our fight.

Our fundraising efforts will support Etepserlin, a drug which will skip Exon 51 and provide treatment for Pietro and 17% of the DMD population that is effected by this missing exon. We chose to display # 51 to indicate our goal of gaining FDA approval for Etepserlin and putting an END to DMD. These drug companies are supported by small foundations like ours who, together with their amazing support groups and the generosity of friends, family, and community, raise vital funds that enable researchers to continue their work.

With that said, we would not be where we are today without the assistance of our sponsors, vendors, our community, volunteers, and all of Pietro’s Fighters. Thank you to all our Mile Marker Sponsors, Christopher Ganim Harbor Fitness, Dr Joseph Lattinelli & Lauren, Noce Construction Corp, Dr. Susan Hernandez and Pearly Whites, Mr. Augie Deleonardis & Family, Bay Ridge Honda, Bay Ridge Volvo, Bay Ridge Volkswagen, Stepping Stones Stepping Stones, Thomas Aiello / Adam Pass Specialized Eye Care, Sophia Mamakas GPM Pediatrics, Tanyelle Broschart at City MD, Wolf Properties Frank Lupi, ALC Louis Coluccio, Gianna Nicole’s Heart of Hope, Joe Loccisano Allstate, Michael Grimm, John Quaglione and Family, Marty Golden and Family, Brooklyn Market, Maria’s Gourmet Italian Ices, The Mastorakis Family, JM General Contracting Corp, Altilio Family, Investors Bank as the Bib Sponsor and Ben Bay Kiwanis Brooklyn as the Main Race Sponsor.

Special thanks to Horizon’s in Dance for providing face painting, Rocco from Menny Memories entertainment for providing the 69th street Pier with rocking music, Daniel Marino of Marino Photography www.danmarinophoto.com for capturing the memories, and Stas Furman from Factor5Films for documenting the event on video. It takes a team like ours to come together and get the job done. Thank you to Bagel boy and HL Bagels for donating bagels, Go Fresh or Go Home for donating Fruit, John Edwards from www.rockapulcorun.com for timing our event!

On behalf of my family and our team, we want to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who sponsored, made donations in the form of food, money, or time, and to the Parks Department for enabling us to host this event along the beautiful Shore Road Promenade. Special thank you to Maria’s Gourmet Italian Ices for giving out free ices to everyone!

Thank you to all who participated in making today a success, none of this would be possible without those of you standing with us and joining us in our fight to the finish. With your support we will continue this mission of love and fight for a cure until a cure is found. View and purchase the images is http://danmarinoevents.com