Singer seeks cure for Muscular Dystrophy

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) - A top 40 recording artist from East Palestine is turning her focus from music to finding a cure for Muscular Dystrophy.

Sarah Burgess is a former American Idol contestant. Her brother has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, as does her friend Billy Ellsworth.

For the first time, there's real hope for a treatment that can help. A clinical trial for a new drug is showing significant progress for boys with the disease. But first, it has to be approved by the FDA.

"Please let us decide. Let the families decide if this is right for their child," Burgess said.

Her friend, Billy Ellsworth, 12, is part of the trial.

"It doesn't make you walk as good. It makes your legs hurt a lot," Billy said

But the new drug has changed everything.

"It's helped me a lot. It's made me walk for a long time," Billy said.

"Billy, he's getting so much stronger. He can do so many amazing things. He's such an amazing kid. And then it's really hard to see my brother," Burgess said.

That's why Burgess, Billy and Billy's mom Terri are working hard to get the drug that's helping Billy approved by the FDA.

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Singer seeks cure for Muscular Dystrophy