'Join Our Boys' Trust fundraises for ‘miracle’ treatment in US

Roscommon twins George and Isaac Naughton are pleading for help as they aim to raise funds for a life-saving treatment in the US.

The 14-year-old boys suffer from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a progressive neuromuscular disease that destroys muscle tissue and is currently fatal.

The Naughton family lost their eldest son Archie to the condition in July 2022, aged just 16.

Now for the first time, the family has hope of saving the lives of their twin boys, after discovering a treatment for DMD in America.

“This is the first time we have found a treatment that would be beneficial for the boys,” wrote the boys parents Paula and Padraic.

“As you can imagine, we are all so terrified because without treatment, the same thing will happen to George and Isaac.

“This is why we are on a mission to raise €650,000 for this life-saving treatment to keep George and Isaac’s hearts healthy.”

The GoFundMe appeal said: “Recently we have been given good news that there is a treatment available to help the boy’s hearts stay healthy. This is a miracle. However, it is available on The USA and it is expensive.”

So far, the family have raised over €121,000 through some 4,300 donations, but they still have a long journey ahead to reach their target.

Isaac, who is currently in hospital after receiving a treatment for the condition, said both himself and his brother George are scared of what may happen to them if they don't find a treatment.

“We have been told that there is a treatment to save our hearts from failure, which is what our older brother Archie died from when he was 16,” Isaac wrote.

“George and myself are 14 and I am scared to think that the same could happen to us. This is why we are desperate to raise the funds for the life saving treatment we need in America.”

To donate to the cause, search 'Save George & Isaac’s Hearts' on GoFundMe, or go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-george-isaacs-hearts

For more information about DMD, and Join Our Boys Trust, go to: https://joinourboys.org/