Courteney Cox and David Arquette in a Race for Research

The clock is ticking for actors Courteney Cox and David Arquette, who have pledged to raise $1 million in two weeks to benefit the Epidermolysis Bullosa Medical Research Foundation (EBMRF).

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a genetic condition that causes skin and linings to break and blister at the slightest touch. Sufferers battle daily with fluid loss and infection of the open wounds. In worst cases, they’ll die of skin cancer before the age of 40, many in infancy.

“Now is such an important time to put the spotlight on EB and ensure that research can continue at a fast pace,” Cox told the Associated Press.

Both Cox and Arquette are honorary board members of the foundation, as are actors Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Jackie and Adam Sandler and singers Gavin Rossdale and Gwen Stefani. Kate Beckinsale, Orlando Bloom, Rashida Jones, Eva Longoria and James Marsden have also joined the challenge to bring much needed attention to the painful disease.

Cox and Arquette have a personal link to EB as someone close to them suffers from it. To raise funds for EBMRF on an ongoing basis they have co-designed a necklace with a butterfly, a symbol for hope and freedom, etched onto a small silver pendant, on sale at SATYA boutique in New York and online at www.satyajewelry.com.