My Grandpa often says, “He who saves one life, saves the entire world...”
The tale of Geri the Knight...
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I’m Geri Kovacs, and I would like to share my sorrowful story with you.
I was born in June 2020 in Szeged, Hungary. My Dad tells me many bedtime stories, and I also want to share a story with you.
Once upon a time, there was a little Knight called Geri. Not long after he was born, a wicked Dragon cast a spell on him in the form of a deadly illness. This terrible condition steadily and insidiously began to destroy his muscle cells, making him weaker and weaker day by day. This dreadful disease is called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, (DMD).
Geri tried to fight this monstrous beast with swords and guns, but to no avail. Until now, he thought he must accept the dreadful fate inflicted on him.
Then something extraordinary happened. Specialist medical doctors and researchers invented a medical potion that could cure Geri. This is gene therapy, offering a glimmer of hope in the darkness. Little Geri was over the moon when he heard the news, but when he looked around him, he saw the worried faces.
- What's wrong? He asked nervously.
- Why are you so sad? If this remedy works, then I can live a dignified happy life that is worth living.
- My dearest Son, this medicine comes at a cost of $3.2 million, and even if we work every single hour of every single day, we won’t be able to gather that amount of money.
Geri rushed into his room and came back with his broken piggy bank, where he had been saving for a gift for his baby sister’s arrival. He handed over the money to his Mum, hoping it would help. Tears were rushing down her face, as she had to tell him, it's still not enough...
So, dear Friends and Supporters, I want to reach out to you now and ask for your help and generous support. Let's gather this amount, and in return, I promise to keep FIGHTING and I WILL GET WELL!
In my dreams, I received the medicine before turning six, and I've grown to walk just like you, breathe deeply like you, and my heart beats as healthy as yours.
Let my story have a happy ending, but it can't happen without your kindness and generosity.
If you’d like to help, Mum said you need to click the big button below my story.
Thank you,
Geri Kovács
4-year-old DMD Warrior
What is DMD, the disease Geri is fighting?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle degeneration. Healthy muscle cells break down and are replaced by non-functional fat and scar tissue, leading to increasing muscle weakness.
What happens if Geri doesn’t get treatment?
- DMD gradually weakens muscles, starting with the limbs and core.
- By around age 10, walking becomes impossible, and Geri will need a wheelchair. Treatment aims to delay this as long as possible.
- As the disease progresses, heart and lung muscles weaken.
- Reduced lung capacity, worsened by scoliosis, can lead to sudden respiratory failure.
- Without treatment, life expectancy is typically late 20s.
Help Geri Fight This Disease – Gene Therapy Is the Only Hope
Right now, corticosteroids can slow DMD’s progression, extending the ability to walk. But the latest research focuses on gene therapy. The only approved treatment, Elevidys infusion, is available—but at a staggering cost: $3.2 million.
Elevidys gene therapy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, one of the most expensive medicines in the U.S. on a single-use basis.
Help Geri run, play, and live a full, happy life!
From dream to reality
On the way to a happy-end, with the help of the donations so far, we are currently here:
HUF 108,283,445 / HUF 1,1 billion
Last update date: 2/22/2025
Let's continue writing Geri's story together
💙 1.1 Billion Forints? Together, It’s Possible!
Seems impossible? If just 1% of Hungarians donated 13,000 Ft each, we’d reach the full amount for Geri’s treatment.
Even the smallest contribution can make a difference.
Help Geri Receive Life-Saving Treatment Before He Turns 6!
The collection is carried out by the Korábban Érkeztem Foundation, on Geri's sub-account.
Court registration number: 06-01-0001561
Geri's account number
10918001-00000026-89160042
The entire amount received in the sub-account will be used to save Geri.
IBAN: HU84 1091 8001 0000 0026 8916 0042
SWIFT code: BACXHUHB
In the case of corporate transfers, we will issue a tax certificate for the donation, which will be sent by e-mail or post.
Geri does not accept TAX 1% donations, but the foundation gratefully thanks all offers in advance and uses them entirely for its mission.
Infoline:
+36 30 445 1418
adjeselytgerinek@gmail.com
Do You Have Questions? We’ve got answers:
- Will my donation really go toward saving Geri?
- Yes. Geri’s parents entrusted the Korábban Érkeztem Foundation, which has operated transparently for 12 years, to handle donations. All funds go into a dedicated account used exclusively for his treatment. The foundation takes zero operational costs—every forint helps Geri heal.
- What happens to Geri's muscles?
- DMD is caused by the absence or malfunction of dystrophin, a crucial muscle protein. This allows excessive calcium to flood muscle cells, triggering their breakdown. Over time, progressive weakness leads to complete loss of independence. Gene therapy for Duchenne is centered on the goal of successfully introducing into a muscle cell the correct genetic code, or recipe, necessary to make the dystrophin protein. Because dystrophin is such a large protein, smaller versions (referred to as micro-dystrophins) are inserted into the delivery vehicle. Viral delivery using the adeno-associated virus (AAV) harnesses the virus’s natural ability to deposit genetic material right to the muscle cell nucleus. The result of this viral “infection” would be the successful recording of each muscle cell in the patient’s body so that a smaller but functional dystrophin protein could be made.
- Who is affected by DMD?
- DMD primarily affects boys, occurring in 1 out of 3,600 live male births. In 30% of cases, it’s not inherited but caused by new genetic mutations, sometimes linked to radiation exposure.
- What are the early symptoms?
- Symptoms typically appear around ages 3-4, including difficulty running, jumping, or a waddling gait. Other warning signs include enlarged calves, an exaggerated lower back curve, and weakness in core muscles.