Muscular Dystrophy Association

🚨 Today is National Boot Day! 🚨      We’re proud to kick off over 1,500 Fill the Boot events happening across the country — with fire fighters taking to the streets to raise funds for accelerating research and advance care for the neuromuscular community.     MDA’s President and CEO Donald S. Wood, PhD, and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Edward Kelly, come together to rally support for this powerful partnership. Every dollar dropped in the boot continues MDA’s legacy of progress for hundreds of thousands of families living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related conditions.     When you see a fire fighter with boot in hand, please donate what you can, or visit MDA.org/FTB and show your support online today!     💙💛🔥    #FillTheBoot #NationalBootDay #FireFighters #MDA75 

Regenerating lost muscle has long been one of the greatest challenges in neuromuscular disease research. Today, thanks to breakthroughs in regenerative science, we are closer than ever to making it a reality. At Muscular Dystrophy Association's inaugural Muscle Regeneration Summit last summer and the 2025 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference this month, leading scientists, medical professionals, and patient advocates gathered to explore new frontiers in muscle restoration. The latest research is uncovering how stem cells—specifically muscle satellite cells—could be harnessed to repair and rebuild muscle tissue. Advances in the field have culminated in several planned clinical trials for muscular dystrophies by Somite-AI, Myogenica, Myopax amongst other efforts.     In our latest issue of MDA’s Quest Magazine, Andrew Zaleski , dives into these cutting-edge advancements and what they mean for people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), myotonic dystrophy (DM), and other neuromuscular diseases.     Read more about how we’re driving progress in muscle regeneration:   https://lnkd.in/g64MvW9a

Tom Simon's journey with MDA began in 1992 when he first experienced the profound impact of MDA Summer Camp. Inspired by the camp’s unique ability to empower individuals, he volunteered the following summer and has continued to give his time every year for over 30 years, helping at camps across the country. His dedication to MDA also inspired a career shift - from real estate to medical equipment, allowing him to serve the #neuromuscular community in new and impactful ways. Today, as an MDA Board member and ATP at Numotion, Tom continues to deepen his involvement, working to create opportunities for those living with neuromuscular diseases to live beyond limits.    Let’s follow Tom’s example. Give today at MDA.org/Donate75 help people with #neuromuscular disease live beyond limits.    #MDA75 #MuscularDystrophy #ALS

For more than 70 years, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, helping raise nearly $700 million for families living with neuromuscular disease. In 2025, as MDA marks its 75th anniversary, fire fighters are launching 1,500+ Fill the Boot fundraisers nationwide renewing their commitment to accelerating treatments, enhancing care, and advancing research, including into the heightened rates of ALS among fire fighters. 💙💛🔥 Join us and make a difference: MDA.org/FTB Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eHvAVGSp #MDA75 #FillTheBoot #MuscularDystrophy #ALS #Neuromuscular 

Today, on World Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every person we serve who lives with a neuromuscular disease—has equitable access to healthcare. At the Muscular Dystrophy Association, we believe that access to lifesaving treatments, specialized care, and groundbreaking research is not a privilege but a right. Together, we are driving real change, but there is more work to be done. I invite you to stand with us in advocating for policies that support #neuromuscular disease communities and ensure that no one is left behind. Join us in making a difference: MDA.org/Advocacy #WorldHealthDay 

The 2025 Muscular Dystrophy Association Night of Hope in Atlanta was a night to remember! Thanks to the amazing support from our honorees, committee, sponsors, donors, and volunteers, we were able to raise over $870,000 for #ALS research, care, and advocacy. We are grateful to April and Guy Byars for sharing their story, and to honorees at Choate Construction Company for their continued commitment to #EndALSwithMDA. MDA Night of Hope Sponsors Presenting: CITGO Petroleum Corporation Champions: Choate Construction, Control Southern, DIRECTV, MasTec Advanced Technologies, Sierra Stars: Ameris Bank, Asurion, Big Green Egg, DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS, Raymond James, Sandy Ennis, Tito's Handmade Vodka, SYNERGIES3 TEC SERVICES, LLC Media partners: Modern Luxury - The Atlantan, Matt Golden Films #EndALS #ALSresearch

Alumni Muscular Dystrophy Association National Ambassador Justin Moy is a third-year #bioinformatics PhD candidate at Boston University trying to crack genetic codes. He hopes that by analyzing existing cellular data, he can help create a pathway for better treatments—and, potentially, a cure. But, for him, this isn’t some abstract scientific exercise. Moy was born with the specific type of #MuscularDystrophy known as LAMA2-related muscular dystrophy—that he’s now studying. “My life’s goal is to cure my disease, and that’s really what drives me every day,” Moy says. Read more ⬇️

In response to this week’s substantial reductions and restructuring announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Muscular Dystrophy Association has released the following statement from Paul Melmeyer, Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy: “The Muscular Dystrophy Association is deeply concerned about how this week’s reductions in force and comprehensive restructuring at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will impact the neuromuscular disease (NMD) community. The adjustments in the sweeping reforms affect offices, programs and services that play a critical role in research, drug and therapy development, and access to care and services. These are vital programs that serve children and adults across the MDA community.” Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/enWTXVJ7

Grace LoPiccolo was just nine when she was diagnosed with CMT-1A. She never thought a gym could be a place where she thrived—until she found Burn Boot Camp. Now, she’s proving that real strength isn’t just about muscles. It’s about resilience, adaptability, and showing up for yourself every single day.     In her latest Quest Blog, Grace shares how finding a supportive fitness community helped her find confidence, embrace modifications as a sign of strength, and redefined what’s possible.     Read her journey: https://lnkd.in/ekMQcMMG Help empower others like Grace and donate at BeTheirMuscle.org #BeTheirMuscle

Thank you Bionews, Inc. team for joining us as a media partner at the 2025 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference! Your coverage was especially important for the families we serve across the #neuromuscular community. We appreciate your collaboration and important reporting by Marisa Horak and José Marques Lopes throughout your publications: ✅ Muscular Dystrophy News Today ✅ ALS News Today ✅ Friedreich's Ataxia News ✅ Pompe Disease News ✅ SMA News Today ✅ Charcot-Marie-Tooth News ✅ Lambert Eaton News ✅ Myasthenia Gravis News #ICYMI check out all the coverage here: https://lnkd.in/ePMUMbtg #MDAconference #MDA75