Local Crossfitters Raise Over $10K For Local Toddler with AHC

Fairfield County, CT - Cameron (Cam) Simpson, of Trumbull, is a one-year-old suffering from AHC (Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood), a rare genetic disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of temporary paralysis, stiffness and unusual eye movements. There is currently no cure for AHC.

Across Connecticut this past week, 11 local Crossfit gyms joined together to participate and compete in “The Cam” Workout of the Day to raise funds for the AHC Foundation ( www.ahckids.org ) -- an organization striving to develop research for effective treatments -- and Cameron's family.

The Cam workout, or “WOD”, was designed by Molly McMugh, Cameron’s cousin. It challenged gym members to do 19 repetitions each of a variety of exercises as many times as possible in 19 minutes. Why 19? Cameron’s mother, Corie Simpson, explains, “Nineteen is the number of the chromosome that is mutated in Cam’s genetic make-up and in those that suffer from AHC.”

Cam is an otherwise happy little one-year-old boy that is literally one in a million, as the prevalence rate of the mutation is one in a million. He adores his older brother, Tyler, and he and his family enjoy life in Connecticut as much as possible. But with Cameron suffering from the rare AHC, life can be hard to predict. Corie says, “AHC presents itself in the form of an episode that can last a few minutes, days or even weeks. There is no way to predict an episode and no cure for the disorder."

Cameron, along with just 850 cases worldwide, will grow up with the disorder and its symptoms.

Molly McHugh, of SOSF in Fairfield, explains, “Crossfit is a community and WODs are regularly dedicated to great people who have suffered or overcome great challenges. Cam, at only one year old, is living with something that none of us knew even existed. It’s amazing that the Crossfit community across Connecticut came out to help us raise over $10,000.”

Eileen Crossin, a friend of Cameron’s parents and a participant in the Cam WOD, was ecstatic. “We believe that over 250 people participated this week to represent Cam and all of the other sufferers of AHC. It’s beyond our wildest dreams that we’ve raised $10,000. It’s truly amazing.”

Corie and Cam’s Thank You video and fundraising update can be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/206580903

The Cam WOD happened at Crossfit gyms on Saturday, February 25th or Tuesday, February 28th.  The Cam Workout included:

19 pullups
19 thrusters 
19 Double under skips
19 sit ups 
19 calorie bike
19 push ups
19 wall ball
19 box jumps
19 push press
19 kettle bell swings

The following gyms participated:

Rough House, Black Rock – www.roughhousecrossfit.com

Hybrid Athletics, Bridgeport – www.hybridathletics.com

Hybrid Athletics, Stamford - www.hybridathletics.com

Crossfit KMK, Fairfield – www.crossfitkmk.com

SOSF, Fairfield – www.sosfairfield.com

Down Under Fitness, Fairfield – www.downunderfitness.net

Crossfit Expressions, Stratford – www.crossfitexpressions.com

Crossfit TriTown, Monroe – www.crossfittritown.com

Crossfit Stamford, Stamford – www.crossfitstamford.com

Crossfit Norwalk, Norwalk – www.crossfitnorwalk.com

Big Red Crossfit @ Sacred Heart University

A Cure For Cam is a non-profit team that is raising money to find a cure for AHC. AHC is a rare genetic disorder found in just 850 people across the world. Due to its unpredictable and devastating symptoms, it is a disease that can completely turn a life upside down. In June, A Cure For Cam will be hosting a fundraiser dinner at the Gaelic American Club, Fairfield.

Corie and Cam's Fundraising Update

Corie and Cam's Fundraising Update

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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