The CURE is Within Reach— We Need Your Help!
Cure Rare Disease (CRD) is on track to develop a life-changing gene therapy for William and others like him.
But to make this possible, we need to raise…
2.2 million.
Rowing the Rogue
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Racing for a cure
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Rowing the Rogue - Racing for a cure -
William is an Oregonian living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a relentless, muscle-wasting disease that currently has no treatment options.
William’s dad, Joe, is rowing 36 hours and 157 continuous river miles to urgently raise funding for a life-changing treatment for William.
How It Works
On Friday, April 25, 2025, William’s father, Joe, and his crew will row the length of the Rogue River. We’re seeking donations to support this journey, and subsequently, William’s journey. Each mile represents $5,000 towards William’s treatment.
There are many landmarks along the Rogue River, from heart-pounding whitewater like Powerhouse Rapid to breathtaking vistas like Mule Creek Canyon. Become a Landmark Sponsor and secure an iconic mile of this magnificent river for $15,000.
Our Ask To You
Raising the funds required to advance this life-changing treatment into the clinic requires collective effort, and we are asking for your support to help get us there.
William’s father, Joe, is leading this unprecedented challenge, though rowing the Rogue River in record time is not the only way to help.
William + Joe
Fundraising Milestones
We are in a race against time to fund the final development stages of a life-saving treatment for William and other boys with DMD. For those fighting DMD, time is muscle and your support will help ensure financial constraints are not a barrier to timely treatment.
Raising $5,000 per mile, allows us to hit our very first milestone of $800,000.
If you’re here to give ANY amount, THANK YOU, everything gets us closer to William’s treatment.
$800,000
Amount needed by May 2025 to begin manufacturing of the treatment.
$800,000
Amount needed by November 2025 to complete manufacturing of the treatment.
$600,000
Amount needed by May 2026 to test safety of the treatment.
About Cure Rare Disease
Cure Rare Disease is a 501(c)3 non-profit biotechnology company dedicated to developing life-saving genetic therapies for ultra-rare diseases, transforming the lives of patients previously deemed untreatable. By fostering strategic collaborations among top researchers, clinicians, policy experts, and donors, Cure Rare Disease brings hope and advanced solutions to those awaiting a cure.
Since 2020, Williams parents, Joe and Kati, have worked tirelessly to raise critical funding to support Cure Rare Disease’s early-stage research into gene editing solutions for treating Duchenne. Following positive results from the early-stage research, we are in a race to the finish line to raise the funding required to complete treatment - and your support will get us there.
We need to raise 2.2 million.
Donation Options
Make a donation today to help fund a life-changing gene therapy just for William.
We’re primarily utilizing Raisely to collect donations for We Row For William, though donations can also be sent via these venues.
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You can send Venmo donation to @wewillforwilliam
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Please make a personal check out to ‘Cure Rare Disease’ memo=William Jackson
Address: 4 Research Drive Woodbridge, CT 06525
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Email katie@curerd.org for details.
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To send a PayPal payment, use kati.falger@gmail.com as the email address.
Goal $800,000
Meet the rowers.
This rafting journey wouldn’t be possible without the men leading the way.
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Dad to William (6) & Benji (3)
My favorite rapid on the Rogue is Lower Black Bar...wait no, Powerhouse…wait…Wildcat? Too many favorites to choose. FYI - William’s favorite rapid on the Rogue River is Horseshoe Falls (he hasn’t gotten to do the big ones…yet!).
My son, William, is my world, I am rowing for him and all kids with rare diagnoses. No family should have to endure what we have faced, and every kid deserves a chance at a happy, healthy life. William is smart, kind, funny, and has such a big heart. We row for him!
157 miles is no match for me, fueled by Haribo Twin Snakes and Flaming Hot Cheetos (maybe some fresh fruit to prevent scurvy).
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Dad to Wyatt (7) & Revie (3)
My favorite rapid on the Rogue is Quiz Show. I am a friend and admirer of the Jackson’s.
With this medical breakthrough and potentially life-saving cure at hand, I felt compelled to do something impactful and tangible to help. This adventure is for William and others with rare diseases. I’m hoping this will help inspire others to help however they can.
I think a LOT of sunflower seeds are going to help me stay awake on this trip.
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Dad to Mara (9), Olle (7) & Winslow (5)
My favorite section of the Rogue is Mule Creek Canyon.
I am a family friend to the Jackson’s for more than 25 years. William is one of Olle’s best friends and one of his favorite buds to hang with on the river, I want to continue to enjoy watching these two grow up together.
I will be packing cheese whiz and crackers, it's the best river snack.
Joining these brave rafters are their extraordinary friends:
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Dad to Theron (12) & Caris (10)
My favorite rapid on the Rogue is Nugget and Upper Grave Creek Rapids. I am friends with the Jackson’s and being a part of this group rowing the entire Rogue River nonstop is not only an amazing experience, but an opportunity to bring awareness to a devastating genetic disorder. My hope is that this group of extraordinary people are able to complete this achievement and help raise the funds needed for William.
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Dad to Lennon (6)
My favorite rapid on the Rogue is Dulog, I am a friends of the Jackson’s.
No parent or child should have to go through what William faces. He deserves every ounce of our energy, in every way.
Nothing beats Riley's beef jerky on a river trip, I'll pack a few bags because everyone loves (steals) it.
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Dad to Bridger (6) & Alpine (4)
My favorite rapid is absolutely Powerhouse!
We are the closest of family friends with the Jackson’s for our whole lives. I want to rally around William and his family in hopes of making his life as long and healthy as possible and to pave the way for others who may benefit from his success. It’s simple, I love William & I love rafting.
My journey will be fueled by sour cream and onion Pringles, beef jerky and peanut m&m’s.
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Dad to River (3)
The best Rogue River rapid is Rainie Falls.
Friends with the Jackson’s over many decades and love being on the river with them. William’s diagnosis shook us all back in 2020 and I can’t wait to raft a wild adventure to get him the funding needed to treat Duchenne.
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Dad to Charlie (7 months) so I’m used to being up for 36 hours straight…
Best rapid on the Rogue is Nugget, we will hit this in the morning of the 1st day.
I have been friends with Joe since I was in preschool and I have been friends of their family since they become one!
As a new father to Charlie and an avid whitewater rafter, I knew when this fundraising opportunity came up, it was time to step up and have some fun along the way. I’m so stoked to turn my passion for whitewater into a real dollars that could make a huge impact on William’s quality of life.
My favorite river snack is gummy bears, I will be packing a Costco sized bag.
Sponsors
$5,000 to sponsor and name your mile, see if your mile is available below.
$15,000 to sponsor 1 of the 10 premier miles, these are important landmarks along the Rogue. Email brittany@curerd.org to secure your premier mile today!
First Mile 1
Not yet sponsored
Mile 6
Jackson Cousins! (in progress)
Becky, Kim & Natalie
Mile 10
Go Team William! ❤️ Mara
Mile 23
Biotech Community for William’s CRISPR🧬 (in progress)
Mile 24
RoxyAnn Winery 🍷(in progress)
Mile 29
Dave Jonasson’s Agate Mile (in progess)
Mile 30
Lois & Floyd, We love you
Mile 31
Shaun & Crissie Olson
Mile 32
Shaun & Crissie Olson
Mile 33
The Day Family
Nugget 35
Not yet sponsored
Powerhouse 36
Not yet sponsored
Mile 42
CMC Class of ‘06
(in progress)
Mile 50
Go Bears! UNC Swim team
(in progress)
Mile 51
Nash’s Mile
Mile 72
Leever Believers!
Mile 77
Pulver & Leever
Mile 86
Howard, Always in my Heart
Grave Creek 89
Not yet sponsored
Rainie Falls 90
Not yet sponsored
Mile 93
Ferguson Family (in progress)
Mile 103
Olaf & Co
Mule Creek Canyon 109
Not yet sponsored
Coffee Pot 110
Not yet sponsored
Blossom Bar 111
Not yet sponsored
Mile 117
Paradise Ladies Team! (in progress)
Foster Bar 123
Not yet sponsored
Last Mile 157
Not yet sponsored
