World Duchenne Awareness Day takes on a special meaning for one Long Island family.

Ethan Demmers, now 13, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy back in 2014.

The progressive and degenerative disease weakens his muscles but hasn't stopped him and his family from rallying for a cure.

His father, Dustin Demmers - a teacher at Floral Park Memorial High School, says it's important to draw people's attention to the genetic disorder.

"It means a lot for the chance we can find a cure - it also means a lot for our day-to-day," Dustin Demmers says. "So when people see Ethan at school, they'll understand what he's going through."