EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University's Denny Douds, West Chester's Bill Zwaan and their coaching staffs will be among more than 500 coaches that will support the third annual “Coach to Cure MD” program through the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) when the Warriors host the Golden Rams on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Eiler-Martin Stadium.

Douds, Zwaan and their respective coaching staffs will wear patches on their sleeves to show their support for Coach to Cure MD, which has already raised more than half a million dollars to battle Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood.

The disease primarily affects boys and young men and is marked by progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes loss of mobility, wheelchair dependency and a decline in respiratory and cardiac function. Currently, there is no cure of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and limited therapeutic options exist.

The financial service firm TIAA-CREF is the national sponsor of the program, which seeks to raise both awareness and funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research.

Fans can support Coach Douds and the Warriors in their fight against Duchenne by contributing via text messaging, or online at www.CoachtoCureMD.org. To donate through your mobile phone, text the word CURE to 90999, then reply to the confirmation message to donate $5. Individuals may text CURE up to five times to give a maximum of $25.

Last year, coaches from 351 college football programs participated in the second annual Coach to Cure MD event, up from 207 schools that participated during its inaugural year. The AFCA membership includes more than 90 percent of head coaches at the 700-plus schools that sponsor football at the college level.