On behalf of Jumpin’ for Jazz Inc., we want to thank all those attending the 2nd Annual Jazz Kitchen benefit concert in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday June 10, 2018. The event was a great success and we thank everyone attending for supporting our efforts to fund research in finding a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia. Your support is greatly appreciated.

We would also like to recognize and thank those that donated their talents and made the benefit a success:

• The Rob Dixon Trio featuring: Rob Dixon, saxophone, Steven Jones, piano, and Clint Breeze, drums

• The Morris Kienie Duo featuring: Cathy Morris, violin and Peter Kienle, guitar

• Fresh Water featuring: Vivek Hadley, piano, Nick Tucker, bass, and Clint Breeze, drums

We would also like to thank The Jazz Kitchen for their donation and use of their facility for the benefit concert.

A special thank you goes to Dr. Ronald M. Payne, a pediatric cardiologist with Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health for his presentation on Friedreich’s ataxia and for answering questions from the audience.

We would not be successful in our efforts without our dedicated supporters. Your interest, donations, and continued support is greatly appreciated.

If you missed the concert and would still like to contribute to the research in finding a cure for this debilitating disease, you can still donate online through our Crowdrise (GoFundMe Certified Not-for-Profit site) at https://www.crowdrise.com/jumpinforjazz. The site will remain active until after Father’s Day to remember why Virgil Harris started the Jumpin’ for Jazz organization – to help his daughter beat Friedreich’s ataxia!

If you couldn’t be part of the June 10 event — or if you were there and want to amplify your impact — you can make a difference by donating online Click Here Because rare diseases like Friedreich’s Ataxia don’t promise large-scale returns that attract big pharma, research lacks funding. You can help by donating to the Jumpin’ for Jazz CrowdRise social fundraiser page. Your contributions not only help FA research and clinical trials, but will help improve quality and length of life for those dealing with the disease. Together, we can get it done!

“I’m not just fighting for Jazmyne; I’m fighting for all the children and families suffering from this deadly disease.” Jazmyne’s dad Virgil won a Jefferson Award for his passion and drive in founding Jumpin’ for Jazz to help ALL children suffering from Friedreich’s ataxia. You can support his mission: https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/cure-friedreichs-ataxia-fa.

Friedreich’s ataxia typically strikes in adolescence and becomes a deadly disorder that destroys nerves, impairs motor skills (including the ability to walk), and leads to heart complications and loss of speech. That’s why Jumpin’ for Jazz is empowering research organizations to find the cure. You can help. https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/cure-friedreichs-ataxia-fa

We are less than one month away from what is sure to be the jazziest night of the year in Indy! Join us Sunday, June 10 at @The Jazz Kitchen for a benefit concert for Jumpin’ for Jazz. We’re working to improve the lives of children suffering from Friedreich’s ataxia, and YOU can help make a difference. https://www.thejazzkitchen.com/event/1691744.

If you haven’t watched “The Ataxian” movie, we highly recommend renting or purchasing the the movie. It has won several awards and has been reviewed by many critics. One of our favorite reviews is by The New York Times and this is just an excerpt from that review:

“A couple of years back, the ice bucket challenge was a social-media sensation, raising an estimated $115 million for research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Not all such ailments receive that kind of visibility — or promotion. Friedreich’s ataxia, a little-known, progressive, fatal neuromuscular disease, has no cure; most heartless of all, its onset usually occurs in young children, who are unlikely to reach the age of 30.

“The Ataxian” follows Kyle Bryant, an athletic, charismatic Californian with the disease whose ability to walk and speak has already been impaired, as he channels his energy into raising awareness and money for research. He wants, he says, “to do something crazy!” and assembles a team of four bicyclists — including himself (on a recumbent bike) and Sean Baumstark, a friend who also has the disease — to take part in Race Across America, an annual competition that covers 3,000 miles in nine days…”