Contacts:
Christy Cruse Elizabeth Grimes Jim Brown
MDA Fundraising Coordinator MDA Regional Director MDA VP – Public Relations
334-396-4534 205-824-8288 520-529-5320
ccruse@mdausa.org bgrimes@mdausa.org jbrown@mdausa.org
HOW MANY MUSCLES DOES IT TAKE TO WALK?
ONE
—YOUR HEART! JOIN MDA MUSCLE WALK
Montgomery, Ala., Feb. 20, 2012—
On Saturday, March 3, 2012 more than 150 walkers and people using wheelchairs and scooters will participate in the Montgomery MDA Muscle Walk 2012 at Montgomery Zoo. The fun event is expected to raise more than $35,000 to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) serve area residents with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle diseases.
"We’re walking to help MDA fund worldwide research and to provide unparalleled health care services to people with muscle diseases," said Christy Cruse, MDA Christy Cruse Fundraising Coordinator -Montgomery. "Together, we’ll take a victory lap at Montgomery Zoo to help local families for whom MDA is a singular beacon of help and hope."
Muscle Walk participants and Muscle Walk teams can register for the event by visiting musclewalkmda.org/Montgomery; by contacting the local MDA office at (334) 396-4534; or by registering at the event by arriving at least 30-minutes before the Montgomery MDA Muscle Walk 2012 gets underway on Saturday, at 9 a.m. Individuals and teams are encouraged to raise at least $74 in donations, the cost to fund one minute of MDA research seeking treatments and cures for muscle diseases. Many teams will reach out to Facebook friends to raise thousands of dollars (human-interest stories abound; contact MDA for "hometown hero" candidates).
About MDA
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. See the award-winning MDA "Make A Muscle, Make A Difference" PSA.
In addition to funding about 300 research teams worldwide (present grant awards exceed $91.4 million), MDA maintains a national network of some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics; facilitates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and provides extraordinary local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters fighting progressive muscle diseases. Known globally for the MDA Labor Day Telethon, the Association is the first nonprofit agency to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association "for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity."
In the Montgomery area, individuals living with progressive muscle diseases can receive excellent care at the MDA Clinic at The Children's Hospital, University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. To register with MDA, schedule an appointment, or to find out about a myriad of MDA services available to local families, contact the MDA office in Montgomery at (334) 396-4534.
In Alabama, MDA currently is funding a notable research project underway at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Thanks to generous public support of MDA, area youngsters with neuromuscular diseases also enjoy a magical week at the MDA Summer Camp at Camp ASCCA in Jackson’s Gap, Ala.
─ MDA ─