Restaurant hosts birthday fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy

By Kathy McCarty 
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE —  A local man who knows all too well how difficult life can be with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has but one birthday wish this year — to raise $2,500 for CureDuchenne by his 25th birthday, Oct. 20.
    “This cause is important to me because I have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and it is making me weaker and weaker every day. I no longer can feed myself; I struggled for as long as I could to feed myself, but now my Mom must feed me like she did when I was a baby,” said Adam MacDonald, of Presque Isle. “Can you just imagine not being able to feed yourself any more at the age of 24?”
    MacDonald was born with the debilitating disease that has left him wheelchair-bound and needing help from others. Despite his condition, he has been an inspiration to others over the years, including at least one of his teachers.
    Athena Hallowell credit’s MacDonald’s mother, Cheryl Markey, with instilling in him “a sense of gratitude and generosity.”
    “Adam has struggled with his disease but has always maintained a positive attitude and willingness to ‘make things better’ for folks less fortunate,” said Hallowell. In 2006, mother and son began a business venture together, selling Home Interior products, with much of the proceeds going to help others.
    “He often did fundraisers for local and national charities, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure. He donated his profits to the charity. He volunteers annually for the ‘Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon.’ He’s been answering phones and appearing live on this program since 1990 (the year he was diagnosed),” Hallowell said.
    That’s why it comes as no surprise to Hallowell that MacDonald is once again making an effort to make a difference for others.
    “He’s currently trying to raise $2,500 before his 25th birthday for CureDuchenne. He’s raised about $900 so far,” said Hallowell, explaining this isn’t the first time he’s attempted such a feat. “He actually tried to raise $2,400 for his 24th birthday, but fell quite short.”
    Hallowell said MacDonald is “getting quite discouraged, which isn’t like him.”
    “He’s done so much for others, packing Christmas shoeboxes for the Wesleyan Church in Presque Isle, collecting can tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House as a ‘thank-you for letting him and his mom stay there when they needed to,” said Hallowell. “He’s given so much of himself, it would be nice to see others give to help him meet his goal.”
    Family friend Bonnie Mowbray is hoping others will join her in helping her friend make a birthday wish come true.
    “Adam has lost many of the simple things that we take for granted; but he hasn’t lost his spirit and smile and willingness to help others. He’s an amazing young man and I love him dearly,” said Mowbray. “His only wish is for a cure for himself and others who suffer. I hope everyone will help make Adam’s 25th birthday wish come true.”
    One area business will be attempting to do just that on Saturday, Oct. 16.
    “We’re sponsoring a fundraiser for Adam, to mark his 25th birthday,” said Jane Lucas, event manager at the Crow’s Nest at 150 Maysville Street in Presque Isle.
    Lucas said the idea started when MacDonald’s mother called to book a room.
    “We decided to donate the room and have a dinner, with proceeds going to CureDuchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The event starts at 5 p.m. and tickets are available at the Crow’s Nest for $20 each and includes a buffet-style dinner,” said Lucas. “We’ll also have prizes to raffle, with the proceeds donated as well.”
    For more information, contact Lucas at 540-1800. Donations are also being accepted at the Crow’s Nest to go toward MacDonald’s birthday wish.