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The Jeremy Carroll Foundation to Host 20th Annual Berks Black-N-Blue Ball to Benefit Muscular Dystrophy Association on November 17 at Classic Harley-Davidson, Leesport, PA
The event honoree is the Berks County Harley-Davidson Owners Group.
Leesport, Pennsylvania – November 3, 2023 – On Friday, November 17, The Jeremy Carroll Foundation will host the 20th Annual Berks Black-N-Blue Ball to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). This year’s event will take place at Classic Harley-Davidson in Leesport, Pennsylvania from 6:00pm-10:00pm. For information on registration, sponsorships, and donations click here. Funds raised go towards MDA’s mission to accelerate research, advance care, and empower families in the community living with muscular dystrophy, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s disease) and related neuromuscular diseases. This year’s event honors the Berks County Harley-Davidson Owners Group (HOG), longtime supporters of MDA. The Berks County HOG chapter was established in 1990 and is an active group of motorcycle enthusiasts. They were established in 1990 and are a generous and active group of motorcycle enthusiasts.
“We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with The Jeremy Carroll Foundation and the incredibly dedicated honorees, the Berks County Harley-Davidson Owners Group. In addition to their support for this event, our honorees enthusiastically support MDA Ride For Life and Cow Pie Bingo,” said Amy Meyers, Senior Director, Muscular Dystrophy Association. “Over the past 20 years this event has raised over $2.5 million funding life-saving research, multi-disciplinary care, MDA Summer Camp, and advocacy for access to care and so much more. We’re grateful to carry on Jeremy Carroll’s legacy to be a light of hope for MDA families.”
About The Jeremy Carroll Foundation
The Jeremy Carroll Foundation was created in memory of Jeremy Carroll, who lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and passed away at the age of 33 in 2007. He graduated from Albright College and worked as a freelance journalist. His unstoppable attitude inspired his parents to raise funds for MDA’s research, and they continue his legacy with The Jeremy Carroll Foundation in his memory.
“The progress we have seen in the field of neuromuscular disease research, especially over the 15 years, has been both astonishing and gratifying. We are proud to continue raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy Association’s mission in Jeremy’s honor and for the thousands of families who have so much more hope today for treatments,” said Carroll’s parents, Anne and David Carroll Jr. of Muhlenberg Township, in Reading, Pennsylvania. “Jeremy never gave up, and his determination and persistence inspire our support for this important cause.”
“We are thrilled to be designated honorees by The Jeremy Carroll Foundation for this MDA fundraiser. We continue to support this mission for families in our community living with neuromuscular diseases and we know, when we all come together, we can make incredible progress. We see it happening every month these days with every newly approved treatment, every advancement in care, and programming that empowers children and young adults such as MDA Summer Camp and so much more,” said Robin Shilling, MDA Liaison for Berks County Harley-Davidson Owners Group, and Berks Black-N-Blue Ball Committee Member.
MDA Pennsylvania Ambassador Callen will also be in attendance with his family. Callen lives with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and enjoys video games and building Legos. “He likes building so much that when he grows up, he plans to become an architect!” says his mom, MDA family member Jamie Moulthrop, who will be speaking at the event. “Callen plays baseball, ice hockey, and earned his junior black belt last December. He is halfway to his senior black belt now! His diagnosis can be difficult for him and it’s frustrating when he feels he can’t do things like others can. Sometimes he is hard on himself, but he does his best to remain positive and super active. The best part of participating with MDA community, especially at events like the annual Berks Black-N-Blue Ball, is we get to meet other supporters and families going through a similar experience in our own community in Pennsylvania.” Callen has attended MDA Summer Camp and has called it the ‘best week of the year’ as it is commonly known by the MDA community. He also receives care at an MDA Care Center and has shared his story and participated in many other fundraisers including MDA Muscle Walk and Ride For Life.
Funds raised at The Berks Black-N-Blue Ball also support MDA educational programs and resources including the newly expanded MDA Resource Center with the MDA Gene Therapy Support Network. MDA Care Center Network includes over 150 locations nationwide and eight in Pennsylvania.
MDA is grateful to the 2023 Berks Black-N-Blue Committee including:
Dave & Anne Carroll, Dot Basile, Christopher deGruchy, Scott McIntyre, Robin Shilling, Stephanie Waits.
MDA thanks the sponsors for this event including Presenting Sponsors: The Jeremy Carroll Foundation, E+R Equine Supply, and Platinum Sponsors: The Giorgi Companies, The deGruchy Charitable Fund.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
