OUR MISSION
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a voluntary health agency – a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans.
WHAT DOES MDA DO?
MDA works in your community to combat neuromuscular diseases through basic and applied scientific investigation, local comprehensive programs of medical and support services and widespread professional and public health education.
MDA maintains the most comprehensive services program of any voluntary health agency, helping individuals and their families meet the challenges imposed by chronic, progressive diseases. Included among these services are a network of outpatient clinics; assistance with the repair of wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices; equipment loan closets; support groups; youth summer camp programs; flu shots; and resource referral. Today, MDA is one of the world’s leading voluntary health agencies fostering research and medical care. Programs available through your local MDA office are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors. The Association receives no government grants. In 2011, MDA allocated $79 million for patient and community services.
What is Muscular Dystrophy?
There is no single disease called muscular dystrophy. The term designates a group of more than 30 hereditary muscle destroying disorders, which vary in inheritance pattern, age of onset, initial muscles attac
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OUR MISSION
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a voluntary health agency – a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans.
WHAT DOES MDA DO?
MDA works in your community to combat neuromuscular diseases through basic and applied scientific investigation, local comprehensive programs of medical and support services and widespread professional and public health education.
MDA maintains the most comprehensive services program of any voluntary health agency, helping individuals and their families meet the challenges imposed by chronic, progressive diseases. Included among these services are a network of outpatient clinics; assistance with the repair of wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices; equipment loan closets; support groups; youth summer camp programs; flu shots; and resource referral. Today, MDA is one of the world’s leading voluntary health agencies fostering research and medical care. Programs available through your local MDA office are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors. The Association receives no government grants. In 2011, MDA allocated $79 million for patient and community services.
What is Muscular Dystrophy?
There is no single disease called muscular dystrophy. The term designates a group of more than 30 hereditary muscle destroying disorders, which vary in inheritance pattern, age of onset, initial muscles attacked and rate of progression. Some forms of MD are seen in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until middle age or later.
Individuals with MD in Southeastern WI = 695
Number of clinic visits MDA funded in 2011 = 416
MDA supports more research on neuromuscular diseases than any other private-sector organization in the world. MDA scientists are in the forefront of gene therapy research and have uncovered the genetic defects responsible for several forms of muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), childhood spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and several other neuromuscular conditions.
For more information please visit: www.mda.org
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