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The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary
health
agency. The association was formed in 1950
when a group of parents who had
ill children gathered
with doctors. They wanted to discover
why the children
were ill. They termed the illness
muscular dystrophy.
During 1950, the MDA services
program was extended
to Northwest Washington.
Today there are offices in
Seattle, Everett, and Tacoma.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association program has expanded to cover 43
neuromuscular diseases.
Scientists participate in projects at University
of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center, and throughout the world to discover, develop,
and test
for treatments.
Community creates understanding
Entertainer, Jerry Lewis, the national MDA
chairman, is
a propelling supporter of MDA since
early inception of
the association. Poet, Mattie
Stepanek, a child who was born with dysautonomic
mitochondrial myopathy, has brought deep awareness
of neuromuscular diseases
with his book, Heartsongs and
others.
Mattie has
appeared on The Oprah Winfrey
Show to share
his message of peace.
Drawing of dove
by Danielle M. Harada
Today to further awareness, our state of Washington
has
a Goodwill ambassador, eight year old Joshua
France,
who has Duchenne disease. Joshua lives in Puyallup.
He also
plays baseball,
and creates model airplanes from Legos.
MDA program assistance
Muscular Dystrophy Association program helps with:
- Medical examinations
- flu shots
- support groups
- MDA summer camps
- Assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs
- Assistance with the purchase and repair of leg braces
The program is supported almost entirely by private contributions. MDA does
not receive government grants or United Way funds.
Muscular Dystrophy Association is a nonprofit organization.
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Floral drawing 
by Rebekah Lovitt