Category: Muscular Dystrophy / ALS

Disabled motorists can now pinpoint the most accessible dealers in their area, using a new search tool on the Motability websiteMotability, the leading car scheme for disabled people, has worked with directenquiries.com the Nationwide Access Register, to publish online access information about each of the 4,000-plus car dealerships offering the Motability Scheme.

Jerry Lewis made good on his annual promise to raise at least “one dollar more” for the fight against muscular dystrophy. The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 42nd Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon set a record of 63,759,478 dollars in contributions and pledges, which will fund research, services and information for people with any of the neuromuscular diseases under MDA’s umbrella.

Michael Neufeldt of New Berlin, Wis., has been named the recipient of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 2008 Robert Ross National Personal Achievement Award. The award will be announced during the national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. Initiated in 1992, the national awards are part of MDA’s program for recognizing the achievements and community service of people across the nation who are affected by neuromuscular diseases.

The Johns Hopkins scientist who first showed that the absence of the protein myostatin leads to oversized muscles in mice and men has now found a second protein, follistatin, whose overproduction in mice lacking myostatin doubles the muscle-building effect.

The Forum of Mobility Centres are proud to announce that from 1st August 2007 a comprehensive range of adapted vehicles, allowing independent access by a wheelchair user, will be available for assessment, demonstration and tuition at fifteen mobility centres throughout the UK.

Award-winning recording artist Billy Gilman returns to the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon this year, as a celebrity co-host. Gilman has served as National Youth Chairman for MDA for five years, encouraging thousands of teens and young adults to support MDA’s lifesaving mission in behalf of a million people affected by neuromuscular diseases.

Results from a Nationwide Mutual Insurance survey announced show that Americans call Jerry Lewis the most influential celebrity for his work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Over 43 percent of respondents indicated he has been effective in getting the word out and driving change for the issue he supports.

Scientists may have just taken an important step in the fight against muscular dystrophy. According to the Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers at Ohio State University Medical Center have isolated a protein that could play a major role in crippling MD patients.* It is a finding that could someday lead to new ways to treat some forms of MD, and offer new hope for the one million Americans who have it.

Christopher Rush, former MDA national goodwill ambassador, died in his sleep at his Ann Arbor, Mich., home during the night of Aug. 11.Rush, 30, had spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that causes loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and subsequent wasting of muscles. He used a power wheelchair for mobility.Known to his friends as Toph, Rush was articulate, active and a high achiever, most recently earning a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

We have a limited number of places available in our Great South Run team heading to Portsmouth on 28 October 2007 and we’d like you to be part of that Muscular Dystrophy Campaign team. If you join our team you will receive a comprehensive running pack, including training and fundraising tips along with a non-friction running vest. If you would like a place on the team please contact Julia on 020 7720 8055 at events@muscular-dystrophy.org for a registration form.