This September, MDA is kicking off 30 Days of Strength, a campaign to raise funds for and awareness of people living with neuromuscular disease. Since the launch of MDA’s annual Labor Day telethon, September has been our most important fundraising period. Across the 30 days of September this year, MDA is sharing stories of the incredible “power of will.” Justin Moy will cure his own disease. Faith Fortenberry will get up on stage and sing. Devin Argall will complete a full marathon. Reagan Imhoff will hug her mom for the first time ever. And you will power life-changing breakthroughs.
Neuromuscular disease can take away someone’s ability to move, eat, and even breathe. But nothing can take away people’s sheer will to succeed and pursue their dreams. The children and adults MDA supports demonstrate an unfailing power of will to persevere and push the limits, despite physical setbacks.
As part of the 30 Days of Strength campaign, MDA is also asking people to start their own online fundraiser. Participants can pledge their support by creating their own physical challenge and pushing their limits to meet a personal goal, whether it’s doing a set number of burpees or bike riding a total number of miles. They can personalize their fundraiser page by writing an “I will” statement and a brief description about the physical activity they will do to push the limits. After setting a fundraising goal, they can share their fundraiser page with friends on social channels using #30DaysofStrength to ask for donations.
MDA depends on support during September to continue our critical programs for MDA families year-round. With help from supporters, MDA will continue to offer access to breakthrough therapies through our Care Centers across the country. We will guide patients from day one of their diagnosis through our National Resource Center. We will transform lives through our Summer Camps, which give children critical life skills at no cost to their families. And we will support people who show incredible power of will in their everyday lives, not letting neuromuscular disease interfere with their dreams.
Many of the children and adults featured in MDA’s 30 Days of Strength campaign, including Faith Fortenberry, Reagan Imhoff, Devin Argall, and others, have benefited from MDA’s recent scientific breakthroughs. MDA-funded research led to four FDA-approved therapies in just four years. These therapies are life-changing for patients and their families. Doctors expected Devin to be in a wheelchair by age 10. After receiving a new Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug developed from MDA-funded research, he is walking at age 17. Faith and Reagan can now move their arms and breathe without assistance.
The power of will exhibited by people living with neuromuscular disease fuels MDA’s will to continue driving innovations in science and care. With the help of donors, volunteers, MDA staff, and MDA families, we can strengthen our collective impact and make this September our strongest yet.
Join us this 30 Days of Strength by making a donation online, creating your own fundraiser, or helping get the word out on social media using #30DaysofStrength. The greater the support, the stronger the power of will!
