MDA Telethon 2009
Unfortunately, in recent years, many articles have surfaced questioning the cash flow of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The organization operates at a very high overhead and many people question just how much of the money goes to helping individuals with these life-changing diseases.
In fact, Muscular Dystrophy has over 40 different subtypes, each of which manifest in their own unique ways, and unfortunately many of which are fatal. As technology improves, more people with Muscular Dystrophy are living longer and healthier than ever before.
Technology has not yet brought us a cure; scientists say they are close every year but the years keep on ticking. I remember when I was only 14 the first news of mice being cured began to surface... this month I turn 29.
Living with muscular dystrophy is not an easy hand to have been dealt. Those years continually marched on in an unforgiving and cold kind of way. Yet, I sit here today, as living proof that just because you have a disease does not mean that it has you.
MDA sponsors many wonderful activities such as camps for the disabled but those things cost money. Does the majority of the money go to research for a cure?
I'm not sure.
I can tell you that many of our members have benefited from the MDA. They may not be the best organization in the world; they even turned me away after reaching the age of 18 because they could no longer provide me with services that would be useful.
Having said that, everyone with muscular dystrophy is touched by MDA one way or another, and I can honestly tell you that they could be the most corrupt organization in the world and it does not matter. The MDA has brought awareness of the disease and its impact on millions of people across the world.
Speaking as someone who is fighting to propel this nonprofit organization, just the fact that they make muscular dystrophy and headline for one day a year, is well worth what they do.
Please consider donating to the MDA not because I told you to, but because you care. You can donate anonymously, in your name, or even in ours.
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