Boy with life-threatening disease throws first pitch at Wild Things game as part of fundraiser

NORTH FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A young boy with a life-threatening disease was able to kick off a local baseball game and help raise money for other children suffering from the same illness.

Three-year-old Wyatt Medlen threw the first pitch at the Washington Wild Things game Sunday evening.

Wyatt has Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency (PDCD) which is a disease that is commonly associated with progressive neurological and neuromuscular degeneration. Ninety percent of children with PDCD pass away before they turn four.

Wyatt and his family partnered with “Hope for PDCD” which is working on a cure. People were able to donate money to sponsor his first pitch. Twelve companies joined in and $20,400 was raised for the organization.

“We’re just trying to save children,” said Patricia Medlen, Wyatt’s mother. “Even if it can’t help Wyatt, we’re hoping to help future children.”

Click here to donate to Hope for PDCD.

PDCD does not show up on newborn screenings, something Patricia says is one of the biggest challenges and a change she and Hope for PDCD are trying to make.

“For us, science and medicine he is a living miracle,” said Patricia.

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