SEATTLE — Dozens of people gathered at Alki Beach Sunday morning to "Plunge for Patterson," with the goal of raising awareness and money for a rare, genetic condition.
Epidermolysis Bullosa, also known as "EB," causes fragile and blistering skin.
"It makes me feel happy to see people supporting EB," said Patterson McKenzie, who was born with EB."You can get scraps anywhere at any time and we really want a cure for it."
In his short life, McKenzie has benefited from the support of Jill and Eddie Vedder, a well-known West Seattle couple that co-founded the EB Research Partnership.
Eddie Vedder is the lead singer of Pearl Jam.
In its almost decade of existence, EB Research Partnership has raised $60 million and counting. The money has helped lead to two FDA-approved treatments for EB.
"It's a topical gene therapy that when Patterson gets a blister or open wound, they put it on at night and 24 hours later, that wound is healed," Jill Vedder said. "It's not a cure but it's such a huge massive achievement that just never existed before."
Jill Vedder said seeing the community come together gives her hope that one day, soon, a cure for EB will become a reality.
"Doing plunges like this, bringing the community together, and getting people aware of EB really helps move our mission and get us that much closer to a cure," Jill Vedder said.