The Shad’s R&R For the Kids aftermarket fundraiser added another $175,000 to its contributions for Muscular Dystrophy Canada to aid research into finding treatment and possible cures for the debilitating disease, bringing the cumulative total to $5.7 million.
For 2024, the event’s 49th edition attracted nearly 300 golfers plus additional dinner guests to Woodington Lake Golf Club in Tottenham, Ontario for what has grown to become one of Canada’s largest gatherings of aftermarket professionals.
The roots of the event are much more modest.
“The event started in 1973 when my father [Fred Shaddick] and some of his friends were in a bit of trouble with their wives and staying up too late one evening and staying overnight at the Skyline Hotel on Dixon Road by the airport,” reminded Shad’s R&R chair Brad Shaddick, recently retired from DRiV Canada. “Instead of going home the next morning to try to rectify the situation, they decided to go play round of golf, further adding fuel to the fire.
“So, after the round, they supposedly started to feel some remorse and regret and decided to give golf round winnings to a charity. And hence the beginning of Shad’s R&R.”
The first year’s contribution was $1400, and Muscular Dystrophy was chosen as the cause.
Shaddick reminded attendees that all the work is done by volunteers, with board members paying their own way and picking up related expenses, and every effort made to keep overhead low.
Today, the event enjoys a great deal of support form the supplier community and beyond, but Shaddick says they could still grow.
“We would like to see all Canadian aftermarket companies on board. We now are garnering some great support from additional U.S. organizations I think that you’ll agree that Shad’s is a very special event. It’s a fun day where we set the business issues aside and competitive issues aside and join forces to focus on the bigger cause of finding a cure for muscular dystrophy.”
On hand to remind attendees of the very real progress that’s been made was Dr. Homira Osman, VP of Research & Public Policy at Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
“I’ve been with [Muscular Dystrophy Canada] for about five years now, and I’m so excited to tell you about the impact of $5.7 million and it’s truly a transformative time as we reflect back on the years of dedicated to investing in research, and I don’t use the term transformative lightly. I’ll share with you some of what I mean by why it’s such an exciting and transformative time. When MDC started 70 years ago, the focus was on one condition: Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Today, our organization represents over 160 neuromuscular conditions. There are now 600 and even more genes that cause neuromuscular conditions that have been identified thanks to research. There’s been a 700% increase in the number of treatments available for these neuromuscular conditions just in the last 10 years alone. And in the last 10 years alone, a 300% increase in the number of clinical trials.”
She went to detail progress in one particular condition: spinal muscular atrophy or SMA. Typically, parents of children would notice their infant child’s development would lag. Then, some months old, they might suffer respiratory failure. Months later, only after sever complications, would the disease be identified and, in the most severe case, lead to death within the first two years.
Today, the outlook is much different.
“The gene was identified in 1995, actually 29 years ago. And since then, after the gene was identified, there was research done to then identify different treatments.
“As a result of clinical trials, there were three disease modifying treatments approved for spinal muscular atrophy as of 2020. And that is truly life changing.
“Typically with SMA, as I mentioned, in the most severe form it’s fatal. Most children would pass away by their second birthday. And now as a result of the research and the fundraising that you all have generously contributed to in the last 49 years, now, there is a gene replacement therapy.
“Today, when an infant receives that gene therapy, they are meeting motor milestones. They’re talking. They’re walking. You might have someone you’ve met now or a child who has SMA and you might not know it because they are really performing like they’re typically age-matched peers. So again, really highlighting that while they’re no cures today yet for neuromuscular conditions, the research has really led to life-changing, transformative impacts. And so, I thank you. I thank you as a clinician, as a researcher, and as a parent. Thank you all so much.”
Brad Shaddick says that there is a strong goal to reach the $6 million mark for the 50th Shad’s R&R aftermarket fundraiser in 2025.
For more information, visit Shad’s R&R
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