Hunter Hometown: Burnsville, MN Age: 10 Diagnosis: Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT), which causes muscle weakness and atrophy, and some loss of sensation in the feet, the lower legs, the hands and the forearms. Favorite School Subject/Activities: Art and time in the library. Favorite People and/or Pets: I live with my parents, Alan and Dana, and my younger brother Hayden (7). . . .
For the past 10 years, MDA families have benefited from a potent, if nontraditional, ally in their fight to end ALS: coffee. Yes, the seemingly simple beverage that millions of people across the country rely on each morning to start their days has helped raise nearly $2 million for ALS research and family support services. . . .
When Kathy Payette was in eighth grade, she started experiencing unexplained muscle weakness. Over a period of three years in the mid-1970s, she visited several doctors, all of whom were puzzled by her symptoms. When she was 17, Kathy spent a week at the Mayo Clinic with a team of doctors who concluded she had . . .
Marley Hometown: Mystic, CT Diagnosis: I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, and I was diagnosed when I was 1 year old. SMA is a genetic disease affecting the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement. Age: 15 Favorite School Subject/Activities: I am currently a sophomore in high school. My favorite subjects . . .
When Kevan Chandler and his friends decided to go backpacking in Europe this summer, they expected a few dozen friends and family members to be interested in their plans. Little did they know their adventure would become international news. The media response to the trip has been “awesome” according to Kevan. He and his travelling . . .
Devin Hometown: Manitowoc, Wisconsin Diagnosis: Duchenne muscular dystrophy Age: 14 Favorite School Subject/Activities: I really like science and health. Favorite People and/or Pets: I love my family, my dogs and everyone at MDA. Interests: I enjoy drawing cars, watching sports, riding ATVs, making hand-made rainbow loom bracelets and playing video games. My favorite Things About MDA: MDA helps so many people. . . .
Payton Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio Age: 13 Diagnosis: Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD), a group of muscular dystrophies that become apparent at or near birth. CMD results in overall muscle weakness with possible joint stiffness or looseness. Favorite School Subject/Activities: Reading, writing, and art. Favorite People and/or Pets: I live with my older brother Jacob and my mom, Angela. I also . . .
Ryan Hometown: Naperville, IL Age: 13 Diagnosis: I have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which is caused by an absence of dystrophin, a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. Favorite School Subject/Activities: My favorite school subjects are PE and Math. Favorite People and/or Pets: Aside from my mom, dad, and sisters, I love the Chicago Blackhawks. Interests: I enjoy going to watch . . .
It’s the final week of MDA Shamrocks sales, and Lowe’s and many other retailers across the country still have Shamrocks available. As we head into the final days of the 2016 MDA Shamrock season, please continue to encourage your friends and family to support MDA by purchasing Shamrocks wherever they are sold. And don’t forget to . . .
It’s St. Patrick’s Day. Have you already picked up your corned beef and cabbage? How about your Irish soda bread? What about your most important seasonal accessory: the MDA Shamrock? Don’t fret! You still have time to buy one (or five). And if you’ve already made a donation, encourage your friends and family to join in . . .
