Credit Union Team Climbs Mountain to Raise Funds for Muscular Dystrophy

Riverside, Calif. – A team of Altura Credit Union employees, along with their friends and families, recently climbed Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside as part of a national event called “Climb to Cure Duchenne.”  The 48-members of “Team Altura: Carter’s Climbers” raised just over $3,000 to fight Duchenne, a rare and lethal form of Muscular Dystrophy.

The team was led by Rhiannon Ramkissoon who works in the Loan Servicing Department at Altura’s Operations and Technology Center.  This event is personal for Ramkissoon – her 9-year-old son, Carter, was diagnosed with the disease when he was just 3.  Like most people who receive this devastating diagnosis for their child, they had never heard of Duchenne. “This event helps fund the research that we hope will have a positive impact on the life of my son, and all the other children with Duchenne,” Ramkissoon said. In its third year, this local climb is a family-friendly 5-mile hike that is wheelchair and stroller accessible.  In addition to pledges for hikers, Ramkissoon also organized a bake and refreshment sale on site the day of the climb. According to the non-profit organization Cure Duchenne, the disease impacts boys most often. They are usually diagnosed by the age of 5, in a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive their mid-20s. The funds from this event support research projects aimed at treating and curing Duchenne.  As part of the annual Climb to Cure event, people across the country climbed a mountain, hill or tall building to increase awareness and raise funds.  To learn more about Duchenne muscular dystrophy, visit Cure Duchenne. Photo:  Members of “Team Altura: Carter’s Climbers” pose at the top of Riverside’s Mt. Rubidoux after reaching the peak in their “Climb to Cure Duchenne,” which is a rare and lethal form of Muscular Dystrophy. The team was led by Altura staffer Rhiannon Ramkissoon, whose 9-year-old son was diagnosed with Duchenne when he was 3.  The team raised more than $3,000.