A relatively unknown energy metabolism disease makes life unbearable for many children. Due to one or more errors in children's DNA, something goes wrong with the conversion of food to energy. As a result, the body does not get enough energy to function properly. The disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms generally get worse and worse. Many patients die at a (very) young age.
In the Netherlands, about 1 to 2 children per week are born with an energy metabolism disease:
70% of these children will not grow up
50% dies before their 10the birthday
Because no drug has yet been found to treat or even cure children with energy metabolism disease, most patients do not grow old. The group of children with this disease is relatively small, making it commercially uninteresting enough for the pharmaceutical industry to develop a drug. However, the reality is harsh: without a medicine, children with energy metabolism disease have no future!
DB Group supports Ride4Kids in doing scientific research, which should eventually lead to a treatment and medication for children with energy metabolism diseases. What characterises Ride4Kids is that it works entirely with volunteers who focus mainly on fundraising.
To raise as much money as possible, Ride4Kids organises the Pyrenees Challenge every year. This is a three-day sporting event in the French Pyrenees for cyclists (3 days) as well as runners (1 day). Anyone who wants to can participate in this challenge, set up by parents, family and friends of children suffering from this terrible disease, or even who have already died from it.