The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary national health agency dedicated to the eradication of 43 neuromuscular diseases that affect more than 1 million Americans. The MDA is a dedicated partnership between health care professionals, scientists, and concerned citizens, which provides help and hope to families facing the challenges of living with neuromuscular diseases. Programs available through the MDA are funded almost entirely by the generosity of individual public contributors; the Association receives no government funding.
MDA’s ALS Division is a world leader in the search for treatments and therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. ALS is a multi-system neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects motor neurons, the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. The loss of motor neurons causes the muscles they control to become weak and then paralyzed. As the disease progresses, there are increased respiratory complications caused by paralysis of the muscles used in breathing.
HOPE
Is provided to families through MDA funded research aimed at identifying the causes and cures for ALS. We at the MDA believe that there are no diseases without cures, only diseases for which cures have not been found.
CARE
Is provided to families through 42 MDA sponsored ALS Centers around the country, including the ALS Center at Emory University in Atlanta as well as through other MDA services such as ALS support groups and support networks, professional and public health education, and advocacy programs.
CURE
On August 22, 2011, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine researchers discovered that a common cause for ALS is the breakdown of cellular recycling systems in the neurons of the spinal cord and brain. This results in the nervous system slowly losing its ability to carry brain signals to the muscular system. This breakthrough is perhaps the most significant finding since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed in 1939 and shows that research will eventually lead to a cure.
Your support means help today and hope for tomorrow!
For more information on MDA/ALS research and updates, please visit mda.org or http://mda.org/disease/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis
