The Plunge for Patterson was held Sunday March 30 on Alki Beach in support of research for treatments for Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) , a genetic skin disorder.

Individuals with EB lack critical proteins that bind the skin's two layers together. Without these proteins, the skin tears apart, blisters, and shears off, leading to severe pain, disfigurement, and internal and external wounds that may never heal.

Patterson is a nine year old, who along with his parents have to deal with his condition daily but they champion fund raising efforts like this to help support research into the disorder.

Plunges such as this now take place all over the world. They hope to reach their fundraising goal of $90,000 by the end of April and they are now just over $27,000.

The organization the EB Research Partnership was founded by Jill and Eddie Vedder who have been instrumental in leading fund raising efforts for the organization. If you'd like to learn more or donate visit https://www.ebresearch.org/

That research is showing results such as:

• Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cells capable of differentiating into skin cells have demonstrated positive outcomes in early trials, promoting wound healing and reducing inflammation.

• Gene Therapy: This approach aims to correct genetic defects by introducing functional copies of mutated genes. For severe subtypes like Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB), gene therapy holds significant potential.

• Ex Vivo Gene Replacement Therapy: In this method, a patient's skin cells are repaired outside the body, and new skin is grown in the lab and transplanted back onto the patient. This has shown success in cases like junctional EB.

• In Vivo Gene Therapy (Vyjuvek): Approved by the FDA, Vyjuvek is a topical treatment delivering a healthy copy of the collagen 7 gene directly into skin cells. It has shown significant improvements in wound healing.

• CRISPR Gene Editing: This cutting-edge technique aims to permanently correct genetic mutations, offering a potential one-time solution.

In the fall of 2023, Patterson received his first treatment with Vyjuvek and it has made a remarkable difference. It accelerates wound healing, reduces infection risks, and minimizes inflammation and irritation. While this treatment has improved Patterson's quality of life, a cure is still needed.

At the plunge Patterson's mother Annie said, "Since last year's plunge, EBRP has utilized the events fundraising success to support 18 impactful EB research projects spanning six countries covering all EB subtypes and creating a diverse portfolio of options to combat EB including gene editing, gene therapies, immunotherapies, antibbody therapies, technology platforms and more. So the goal for us is to cure EB by 2030 and yes when that cure is reached this group will have been such an integral part of it."

Also on hand and donating proceeds were the mobile saunas from Coldwater Collective.

Later in the day the fundraising efforts continued at the Phoenecia restaurant in the West Seattle Junction where four ice tubs and portable sauna were set up for those who wanted to test their mettle with a 2 minute stay in some very cold water, all to raise funds for EB research.