Jewish campaigners for treatment of genetic condition honoured by Theresa May

Kerry and Doron Rosenfeld receive the Points of Light award for their fundraising to tackle Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The prime minister has praised a Jewish couple from London for their work funding research into potential treatments and cures for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Theresa May gave a Points of Light Award to Kerry and Doron Rosenfeld on Friday, after they raised £5.5 million for research into the world’s biggest genetic killer of children. Their eldest son, Gavriel, was diagnosed with Duchenne in 2006.

“Gavriel is the true hero of this story,” they said. “Our journey since 2006 has been a challenging one, that we have been blessed to embrace with the support and generosity of our incredible family and donors.”

The pair founded ‘Duchenne Research Fund’ in 2007, subsequently funding 32 projects. This week they said the £5.5 million had “moved the needle of research dramatically for Duchenne”.

Huge progress in gene therapy has led to hopes of a breakthrough, and JFS pupil Gavriel said his parents had gone “all out” and that their efforts “give me hope”.

This week they said: “We are now at a critical point where we are hopeful that new treatments could save this generation of patients. It is a tall order, but we are in a time of great expectation and justifiable excitement.”

May said: “You have responded to the difficult personal circumstances of your son Gavriel’s diagnosis with tremendous strength and resolve. Through your charity and your exceptional fundraising, you are accelerating the development of treatment and helping to find a cure for this debilitating condition.”

At the Jewish News-LABS Night of Heroes Awards ceremony in February, Kerry was part of emotional scenes, when 84-year old retired surgeon Norman Rosenbaum – who raised money for Israeli ambulances – dedicated his award to her.