In 2007, MDA provided $140 million in research, family services and helpful information to adults and children with muscular dystrophy, dedicating 77.4 cents of every dollar it spends to services. MDA is the first nonprofit recognized by the American Medical Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award “for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity.” Following is an at-a-glance look at key activities in Texas and the services provided to some 7,400 people registered with MDA in the state.
MDA Programs and Services in Texas
Research Grants
MDA annually funds some 350 research teams worldwide, spending more than $30 million a year, pursuing treatments and cures for muscle-wasting diseases.
The Association is the country’s largest private-sector sponsor of muscular dystrophy research; in the last five years, MDA has provided more than $15.3 million in research funding in Texas.
MDA investigators have placed the Association on the threshold of delivering treatments and cures for several muscle-wasting disorders, and they have pioneered breakthroughs that may lead to therapies for heart disease, cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and cystic fibrosis.
Services
MDA offers unparalleled medical and health services through its national network of 225 hospital-affiliated clinics and 38 MDA/ALS Centers. Services include diagnosis and follow-up care, summer camps, support groups, assistance with the purchase and repair of wheelchairs, leg braces and communication devices, and more. In the last five years, MDA has provided more than $11.5 million in services to individuals living in Texas.
Summer Camps
Some 5,000 children with muscular dystrophy annually enjoy a free camp adventure at MDA’s 90 weeklong summer camp sessions. Each camper is accompanied by a volunteer counselor who provides the care, supervision and attention children with muscle-wasting diseases need. Some 300 youngsters attend MDA summer camps in Bruceville, Burton, Happy and Meridian each year.
Clinics
Tens of thousands of visits are made each year to MDA’s 225 hospital-affiliated clinics and 38 ALS Research & Clinical Care Centers for diagnostic and follow-up health services. There are 23 MDA clinic locations in Texas, including Specially for Children in Austin, the MDA/ALS University of Texas in Dallas, Valley Baptist Medical Center at Harlingen and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
Support Groups
More than 300 MDA-facilitated support groups meet year-round, helping thousands of individuals and families. Texas residents also can participate in informal “Phone Friends” networks and take advantage of MDA’s extensive online services at www.mda.org. There are currently 30 MDA-facilitated support groups in Texas, including nine general, four ALS, three parent, three ALS caregiver and two adult/caregiver support groups.
Telethon Stations
Thanks to some 180 television stations, the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon draws tens of millions of viewers across North America and many more worldwide on the Internet. Texas stations that broadcast the Telethon are KRBC in Abilene, KFDA in Amarillo, KXAN in Austin, KFDM in Beaumont, KBTX in Bryan, KDF in Corpus Christi, KXAS in Dallas/Ft. Worth, KTSM in El Paso, KGBT in Harlingen, KPRC in Houston, KGNS in Laredo, KLBK in Lubbock, KWES in Midland/Odessa, KLST in San Angelo, KMYS in San Antonio, KETK in Tyler, KWTX in Waco and KFDX in Wichita Falls.
2009 Dallas Fire Department Fill-the-Boot totals
Click here to see the 2008 MDA Fill the Boot totals for Texas Fire Fighters.
