GO WEST!
DARIUS GOES WEST
Saturday, April 18 at 7:00 pm

Fifteen-year-old Darius Weems has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). He and eleven of his best friends set off across America with the goal of getting Weems' wheelchair customized on MTV's Pimp My Ride. The result, the multi-award (25 film awards!) is a rarely seen testament to the explosive idealism of today’s youth, as well as a vivid portrayal of adventure, of brotherhood, and of the character and strength it takes to shed light on an uncertain future.

Not only does Weems bravely face his inevitable fate with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), but through his unflinching humor and his extraordinary laugh, he sparks a revolution in the lives of everyone who crosses his courageous path. Part revolution, part revelation, this film proves to people of all ages how life, even when imperfect, is always worth the ride.

Join the Sixth & I Film Club for a screening and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, meet all 12 of the crew members, including Darius himself.

To see the trailer or learn more about this award-winning film and Darius, click here to go to http://www.dariusgoeswest.org/

Wharton Club Members & Guests Only: $8/person for each ticket (Proceeds will benefit the Darius Goes West Foundation which supports the effort to treat and cure Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which is the number one fatal genetic disease to affect children in the world.)

Where: Sixth & I St NW, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. (Metro: Gallery Place / Verizon Center)

Click here to buy your tickets!!! (to be held at Will Call)

Here's more information about Darius, His Dream, and His Quest to Fulfill It: from http://www.dariusgoeswest.org/

Darius and crew succeeded in raising awareness for DMD and Americans with disabilities. They also raised $1.5 million for DMD research

And now: They just launched a One Million DVDs in One Year campaign to raise additional awareness and funds for DMD research.

One Million DVDs in One Year Campaign
The goal: To sell one million DVDs in one year. The year-end date is Darius's birthday, Sept. 27, 2009. Every
DVD raises $17 for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research.

School Program

• At film festivals, Darius and crew discovered that middle and high school students were among their most enthusiastic fans. So, they created a special schools version of the film, enlisted the help of professional educators to help develop lesson plans to accompany the movie, and launched the “Know About It” educational program.
• 2008 Principal of the Year, Mark Wilson, is enabling Darius and crew to reach millions more students. In early 2009, Wilson’s school, Morgan County High School, will hand-write letters to every high school in the United States, encouraging the schools’ leadership to screen “Darius Goes West.” The school screenings include specially-developed curriculum. For example, in social studies, the students focus upon Civil Liberties, and the ADA.
• Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School in Syracuse, N.Y., is hand-writing letters to every middle school, asking them to screen the film and thus help raise awareness, too.
• To date, over 200 schools nationwide have signed up for the “Know About It” program. Collectively, these schools have raised nearly $100,000 for DMD research. And in their “Million DVD” year travels, Darius and crew include school visits wherever they go.

Special Honors—Giving Back

• A supporter of “Darius Goes West” established The Darius Weems Scholarship in December 2008, to support an incoming freshman at Yale University.
• Darius has been awarded $42,000, via awards such as the Volvo for Life Award (2008 Finalist, Quality of Life Category), World of Children Award, and the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.
• Darius has donated all award dollars to Charley’s Fund, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for DMD.
• Darius and his mother (who is legally blind) survive on disability. Despite the hardships that life has presented both of them, they give to others. They are a vehicle for change.

Be the Vehicle! Don’t just go along for the ride!

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Wharton Club Members & Guests Only: $8/person for each ticket. Click here to buy your tickets!!!