Muscular Dystrophy Association - August 2003 Charity-of-the-Month

Muscular Dystrophy Association


Mission Statement
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans. It was founded in 1950 by adults with muscular dystrophy and parents of children with the disease.

What MDA Does
The 40-plus diseases in MDA’s program include nine forms of muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and other neuromuscular conditions.

Through some 200 local offices across the country, MDA conducts programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

MDA funds some 400 teams of researchers around the world who are uncovering the causes of neuromuscular diseases. They’re also developing and testing potential treatments, including gene transfer and repair, stem cell therapy, drug treatments and enzyme replacement therapy.

MDA services include medical examinations at a network of 230 hospital-affiliated MDA clinics, support groups, MDA summer camps for youngsters, and assistance with purchase of wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices.

In its public education program, MDA publishes a bimonthly national magazine, brochures in English and Spanish, caregiving guides, local newsletters and more. MDA offers answers to individual questions about neuromuscular diseases and updates on research progress via its Web sites (www.mdausa.org, www.mdaenespanol.org, and www.als.mdausa.org and toll-free telephone number (1-800-572-1717).

Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon


MDA’s 38th annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon will air Aug 31-Sept. 1. The Telethon, MDA’s largest fund-raising event of the year, is also the biggest and most successful of all televised charity fund raisers. The Telethon will air for 21½ hours beginning at 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 31. The show originates from CBS Television City in Hollywood, and will be seen on 200 “Love Network” stations nationwide. Check local listings for stations and start times.

The Telethon can also be viewed on MDA’s Web site, http://www.mdausa.org/, via streaming video provided by RealNetworks.

How You Can Help

Go to https://secure.mdausa.org/donate/donate.cfm to make an online donation, or check the Yellow Pages and call your local MDA office for information about volunteering or helping with local events to benefit MDA programs.

Call MDA at 1-800-572-1717 for information about giving to the Association through wills, bequests, retirement plans or memorial gifts.


For more information, please contact:

Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 E. Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718
1-520-529-2000
1-800-572-1717

email: mda@mdausa.org
website: http://www.mdausa.org/
website 'spanish' http://www.mdaenespanol.org/
website for ALS http://www.als.mdausa.org/


Robert Ross
President & CEO

Gerald C. Weinberg
Senior Vice President & Director of Field Organization

Bob Mackle
Director of Public Information