Advocates Bring MDA’s Message to Capitol Hill

Greetings, here’s your MDA newsletter [Muscular Dystrophy Association]( [MDA Monthly Newsletter] Check Out the 2024 MDA Hill Day Recap [Check Out the 2024 MDA Hill Day Recap]( MDA staff and grassroots advocates came together in Washington D.C. and ensured that lawmakers heard their voices during MDA on the Hill. This three-day event brought together 95 advocates from 24 states across the country for advocacy training, networking, meetings with members of Congress and staff, and so much more! [Read the Recap]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Get Ready to Vote! [Access the Vote Campaign]( Election Day will be here before you know it. Make sure you’re registered and start building your voting plan today! [Make Your Voice Heard]( --------------------------------------------------------------- MDA Awards $500,000 Grant to Accelerate ALS Research [MDA Awards $500,000 Grant to Accelerate ALS Research ]( MDA is proud to announce a new clinical research grant of $500,000 over three years, awarded to Sabrina Paganoni, MD, PhD, of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). This grant will support the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial, a pioneering initiative designed to accelerate the development of effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). [Read More]( Neuromuscular disease journeys don't need to be navigated alone — we're here to help! [VIsit the MDA Resource Center]( MDA Launches Kickstart Program for Ultra-Rare Neuromuscular Disease Drug Development [MDA Launches Kickstart Program for Ultra-Rare Neuromuscular Disease Drug Development ]( MDA recognizes that many neuromuscular diseases may be too rare to be commercially attractive for therapy development by drug companies. This new in-house gene therapy program will partner with academic, corporate, and community groups to ensure that patients with ultra-rare forms of neuromuscular disease are not left behind. [Learn More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Join Our Panel of Experts for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) on October 9 [NDEAM Panel ]( Produced by MDA’s Quest Media, the webinar will feature a discussion among prominent disability advocates and industry leaders, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of disability inclusion while providing actionable resources for those navigating employment challenges. [Read More]( --------------------------------------------------------------- MDA & Magic Wheelchair to Launch Instagram Sweepstakes for a Custom Halloween Dream Costume [MDA & Magic Wheelchair]( MDA, in collaboration with Magic Wheelchair, will launch this year's Instagram competition for a custom-designed Halloween dream costume giveaway beginning October 24 through October 27. The reveal of the custom costume will be held in 2025. [Read the Official Rules]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Ki Yoon! [Read About Ki Yoon!]( Inspired and motivated by volunteering at MDA Summer Camp, Ki Yoon joined the MD/PhD program at the University of Florida and continues to volunteer, blending his passion for service with a love for sports, cooking, and Korean culture. [Read About Ki Yoon!]( Read Quest Magazine. Listen to the Podcast. Follow the Blog. [Subscribe]( Explore Career Pathways with MDA’s Mentorship Program! [Explore Career Pathways with MDA’s Mentorship Program! ]( These five-week virtual programs offer meaningful opportunities for youth to learn the ins and outs of different professions while also discovering their own strengths and interests. This program is available at no cost to youth ages 14-21 with a neuromuscular disease. [Apply Today!]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Amp Up the Energy: Support MDA Team Momentum Athletes [Amp Up the Energy: Support MDA Team Momentum Athletes ]( The upcoming [2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon]( and [2024 TCS New York City Marathon]( need your help! Cheer on MDA Team Momentum participants as they race to the finish line at cheer stations along the marathon course! [Sign Up to Volunteer]( --------------------------------------------------------------- ICYMI - [Neuromuscular diseases in crosshairs in Forge Biologics gene therapy collaboration]( - [Barry J Byrne, MD, PhD, on Making Decisions in the Face of Rapidly Expanding Treatment Options]( - [Central Texas teen with muscular dystrophy visits Capitol Hill to lobby for bills supporting those with neuromuscular diseases]( - [UC Davis to lead MDA Kickstart project to develop gene therapy for rare neuromuscular disease]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming MDA Events For all upcoming public events, please visit [mda.org/events](. MDA Engage Symposium - Atlanta October 5, 2024 | Atlanta, GA [Register Here]( Minneapolis Toast to Life Gala October 11, 2024 | Minneapolis, MN [Register Here]( DMV Family Board Game Social October 13, 2024 | Arlington, VA [RSVP]( Chicago Marathon October 13, 2024 | Chicago, IL [Register Here]( Next Steps Seminar: Transition to Adulthood October 15 & 16, 2024 | Virtual [Register Here]( MDA Community Group | Newly Diagnosed | Adult October 16, 2024 | Virtual [Register Here]( MDA Community Group | Newly Diagnosed | Pediatrics October 16, 2024 | Virtual [Register Here]( MDA Community Group | Newly Diagnosed | ALS October 17, 2024 | Virtual [Register Here]( Birmingham Toast to Life Gala October 17, 2024 | Birmingham, AL [Register Here]( Chicago Toast to Life Gala October 18, 2024 | Houston, TX [Register Here]( Grant’s Farm Family Fun Day October 19, 2024 | St. Louis, MO [Register Here]( Nashville Zoo Family Fun Day October 26, 2024 | Nashville, TN [Register Here]( Philadelphia Halloween Family Fun Night October 28,, 2024 | Plymouth Meeting, PA [Register Here]( For all upcoming public events please visit: [mda.org/events](. Support Us Monthly For just $19 a month, you can be a champion for kids and adults with neuromuscular diseases. Donate today to support research and programs for people living with neuromuscular disease. [Donate Monthly]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [MDA.org]( © 2024 Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc.. All rights reserved. 1016 W Jackson Blvd #1073 Chicago, IL 60607 1-800-572-1717 [Unsubscribe]( | [State Fundraising Notices]( The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. [View Online]( | [Subscription Center]( | [Privacy Policy](