PTC is excited to partner with CureDuchenne again in 2021 for the Duchenne United Gaming (DUG) Tournament – happening during the CureDuchenne 2021 FUTURES on October 8 and 9! Over the years, patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy have utilized online gaming as a means to socialize and have fun from the comfort of home. As Hawken Miller told us last year:

“My two favorite aspects of online gaming are the comradery with friends no matter where they live, and being competitive where I’m not able to in the physical world.”
~ Hawken Miller, DUG Panelist and Gamer

The success of online gaming in uniting patients has never been more apparent than after more than a year of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “During the pandemic, video games have been a great way for me to build friendships online, meet other guys with Duchenne, and have allowed me to be competitive in a virtual world,” Hawken says.

Hawken Miller, Adrien Quintero and Chris Younken - DUG Gamers

Also reprising his role as a DUG panelist and gamer is #24 Adrien Quintero. In 2020, Adrien noted that his communication skills have been bolstered by online gaming. He echoes this sentiment this year, saying “One way online gaming has benefitted me during the pandemic is it made me overcome my fear of talking to people online while playing games.”

Chris Younkin will also be joining the tournament again as a panelist and gamer. Last year, he shared his bold vision for the future, which includes public spaces that are designed to be safe and inclusive for people with disabilities. Chris sees a silver lining to the pandemic in that it has brought new people into online gaming. That means more opportunities for comradery and fun in our increasingly digital world.

When asked to share his personal philosophy about gaming, Chris doesn’t hold back:

“Failure doesn’t mean the game is over, it means try again.”
~ Chris Younkin, DUG Panelist and Gamer

The game is certainly not over! For more information about DUG 2021, visit: https://www.twitch.tv/dug_dmd/about.