CKO Kickboxing hosted an event in Freehold Saturday to raise money for the Jar of Hope Foundation, which is helping find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

“Duchenne is a muscle wasting disease that's been around for 200 years. To date, there is still no cure,” said Jim Raffone, the foundation’s founder. Raffone’s son Jamesey was diagnosed with the illness in 2013.

Jamesey is now 13 years old and has lost the ability to walk.

"It's our spin on a regular marathon. The New York City marathon was a couple weeks ago, so instead of running 26 miles, we're going to do 26 rounds of boxing," said Mike Sclafani, owner of CEO Kickboxing. "We're trying to fund a study to raise just over $1 million for a study off the ground with the University of Florida."

Nearly 40 participants came out to support Jamesey, including his schoolmates, the Manalapan Revs. Raffone, however, said he will not be stopped -- he'll go to the ends of the Earth for his boy.

"This disease, unfortunately, at any given time can take the life of a child," Raffone said.

Less than 17,000 people have this disease in the United States.

A check for $43,200 was presented at the end of the marathon. All the proceeds will go to research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.