New Haven Local 825 To Hold Fill-the-Boot Drives for MDA

NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 27, 2010 – The New Haven Fire Department Local 825 will be filling-the-boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) on three different occasions this summer.

New Haven Local 825 will be collecting donations for the fight against neuromuscular disease at various locations throughout New Haven between 9 a.m. and noon on Friday, July 30, Friday, August 6, and Friday, August 20, 2010. All of the proceeds will go towards MDA’s services, research programs, and support groups that benefit individuals and families in the local area. The New Haven Local 825 Fire Department is consistently the highest fundraising Local in the State of Conn. In 2009, New Haven firefighters raised $33,400 for MDA. This year, they have set a goal to raise $35,000.

The New Haven Fire Department Local 825 is a part of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). This is the IAFF’s 56th year dedicating their time and efforts to the MDA. Since 1954 they have raised nearly $275 million dollars for the organization. They are the largest national sponsor of MDA and pride themselves on their devotion to the cause.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA also supports nearly 330 research projects around the world and sponsors 200 hospital-affiliated clinics.

For more information about this event please Brooke Eder at (203) 288-3500 or beder@mdausa.org.

New Haven Business Leaders "Locked Up" For Having a Good Heart

New Haven, Conn., July 26, 2010 – Over 150 local business leaders will be heading to “jail” on Thursday, August 5th from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Café Goodfellas in order to raise their “bail” for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Community business leaders will be arrested at their place of business and transported to Café Goodfellas, located at 758 State Street in New Haven, to serve their time at the local MDA Lock-Up. At Café Goodfellas, the “jailbirds” will be served complimentary “jail” food while they each attempt to raise at least $3,200 in bail money.

Last year local “jailbirds” raised over $36,000 in bail money, all of which went towards the fight against neuromuscular disease. This year the local MDA has set a goal to raise $63,000 at the event.

This is also the first time the New Haven Lock-Up has been designated a Telethon Lock-Up Event. This is the last lock-up event before the local broadcast of the annual Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon live from the Mohegan Sun on Monday, September 6th. This means that any donation of $250-$499 will be awarded a Silver Star, any donation of $500 or more will be given a Gold Star. These “stars” will be featured on the live local broadcast by Fox 61.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. The majority of contributions to MDA come from individual donors.

For more information on this event please contact Kristine Cohen at kcohen@mdausa.org or (203) 248-6500 or Jen Ksiazek at jksiazek@mdausa.org or (203) 248-6500.

Local Support Sends Youth to MDA Summer Camp

NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 30, 2010- Over 30 youth from cities throughout Conn. will be attending the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) annual summer camp for kids at Camp Hemlocks in Hebron, Conn from July 11 until July 16.

MDA's camp programs offer the unique experience for young people with neuromuscular diseases to participate in a variety of events created to develop friendships, share interests and build self confidence. The camp consists of a week long session featuring typical camp activities adapted for youths between the ages of six and 17 with one of the over 40 neuromuscular diseases. The camper fee is covered entirely by generous support from local corporations, groups and individuals who raise funds to support MDA no cost is incurred by the family.

This year, campers will enjoy a myriad of activities throughout the week including archery, swimming, fishing, a climbing wall, and arts and crafts. Highlights of the week include a Magic Show, donated by a R.I. MDA family, a Harley Bike Show, sponsored by Harley Davidson’s New London HOG chapter, a scavenger hunt, movie night, carnival games and motorcycle rides.

The annual VIP Day will take place on Wednesday, July 14. On VIP Day, parents, prospective campers, media and sponsors can visit the camp. There is also a camp-wide carnival with special activities and a number of booths run by sponsors. Michael John of Long Island Sound will host a DJ booth where campers can learn how to DJ. There will also be a photography booth, hosted by Robert Jones of Robert Jones LLC, and a Nintendo Wii booth, hosted by the Hospital for Special Care. Campers will have the opportunity to explore an antique fire truck, provided by Bob Carlson and the Wallingford Fire Department. Campers can also participate in a team Wheelchair Derby Relay Race, sponsored by Joseph Michalak of Genzyme Therapeutics and Elizabeth Vernon of Athena Diagnostics. VIP Day will conclude with a Silent Auction event where campers use their “MDA Dollars” to bid on auction items. Campers can collect “MDA Dollars” from sponsors during VIP day festivities.

“MDA summer camp is a special week of the year when children with muscular dystrophy can enjoy themselves in true peer group and can participate in full range outdoor activities adapted to their abilities,” MDA Camp Director Jennifer Dain said. “Besides being great fun, camp helps youngsters grow and develop emotionally and socially-it’s truly the highlight of the year, for both campers and volunteers.”

Camp Hemlocks has been a longtime host of the MDA summer camp. Camp Hemlocks is located on 160 acres in Hebron, Conn. (just 25 minutes from Hartford). The camp overlooks Jones Pond and borders the Salmon River Forest.
MDA is a voluntary health agency dedicated to helping more than one million Americans affected by neuromuscular disorders through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far reaching professional and public health education.

For more information about this event please contact Jennifer Dain at (203) 248-6500 or jdain@mdausa.org.

West Haven Fire Department Local 1198 Receives Check to Kick Off Annual Fill-the-Boot Program

NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 14, 2010 – On Monday, June 14, 2010, Aarons Sales and Lease Ownership in West Haven, Conn. presented the West Haven Fire Department Local 1198 witha check for $500 to kick off the West Haven Fire Department’s annual fill-the-boot drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

The check presentation took place at 10:30 a.m. at Aarons Sales and Lease Ownership which is located at 480 Elm Street in West Haven, Conn. Last year, the West Haven Fire Department raised $17,300 for the fight against neuromuscular disease. This year, the West Haven Fire Department plans to raise $18,000 for MDA. All the proceeds raised from the fill-the-boot drive will go towards MDA’s services, research programs and support groups which benefit local individuals and families affected by neuromuscular disease.

The West Haven Fire Department Local 1198 is part of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). This is the IAFF’s 56th year dedicating their time and efforts to MDA. Since 1954 they have raised nearly $275 million for the organization. They are the largest national sponsor of MDA and pride themselves on their devotion to the cause.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and far-reaching professional and public health education.

For more information about this event please contact Lauren Joyce at (203) 248-6500 or ljoyce@mdausa.org or contact Brooke Eder at (203) 288-3500 or beder@mdausa.org.

Aarons Sales and Lease Ownership Presents West Haven Fire Department Local 1198 With Check to Kick Off Annual Fill-the-Boot Program

NEW HAVEN, Conn., June 8, 2010 – On Monday, June 14, 2010, Aarons Sales and Lease Ownership in West Haven, Conn. will present the West Haven Fire Department Local 1198 a check for $500 to kick off the West Haven Fire Department’s annual fill-the-boot drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

The check will be presented at 10:30 a.m. at Aarons Sales and Lease Ownership which is located at 480 Elm Street in West Haven, Conn. Last year, the West Haven Fire Department raised $17,300 for the fight against neuromuscular disease. This year, the West Haven Fire Department plans to raise $18,000 for MDA. All the proceeds raised from the fill-the-boot drive will go towards MDA’s services, research programs and support groups which benefit local individuals and families affected by neuromuscular disease.

The West Haven Fire Department Local 1198 is part of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). This is the IAFF’s 56th year dedicating their time and efforts to MDA. Since 1954 they have raised nearly $275 million for the organization. They are the largest national sponsor of MDA and pride themselves on their devotion to the cause.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and far-reaching professional and public health education.

For more information about this event please contact Lauren Joyce at (203) 248-6500 or ljoyce@mdausa.org or contact Brooke Eder at (203) 288-3500 or beder@mdausa.org.

MDA Opens New Pediatric Clinic at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital

New Haven, Conn., June 3, 2010 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is pleased to announce the opening of an outpatient pediatric clinic at One Long Wharf, New Haven, Conn. to serve people in Southern Conn. who have any of the over 40 diseases in MDA’s program.

The MDA-sponsored clinic Yale- New Haven Children’s Hospital and the Physicians of Yale Medical Group will offer diagnostic and follow-up care for muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Leo Gehrig’s disease) and other muscle-wasting diseases.

The MDA-sponsored clinic held its grand opening on May 5, 2010 and will see patients by appointment on the first Wednesday of each month.

Services at the MDA clinic will be provided by pediatric neurologist, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon, pulmonologist, physical and occupational therapists and genetics consultant. The clinic will also offer access to such services as speech and language pathology and social services consultations, as well as to other health specialists skilled in the medical management of these diseases, including cardiology.

The new MDA-sponsored clinic will be co-directed by Board Certified Orthopeadic Surgeon Dr. Brian G. Smith, M.D.; and Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology Dr. Geoffrey Miller, M.D.; and Sumit Bhargava, M.D. Pediatric Pulmonologist and certified sleep specialist, as well as nurse coordinator Louise Lanouette, R.N.

“The MDA-sponsored pediatric clinic at Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital will enhance MDA;s delivery of important health care services to adults and children with muscle diseases in our community,” Said Lauren Joyce, Executive Director of MDA’s Southeast Conn. Chapter, “In addition to top-rated medical services through MDA clinics, MDA’s local office also offers support groups, summer camps for youngsters, assistance with repairing durable medical equipment and much more. Anyone whose doctor suspects a disease in MDA’s program is invited to contact our office to find out how the Association can be of assistance.”

Those needing to obtain a referral or to schedule an appointment at the clinic please call the Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital and Pediatric Specialty Centers at (203) 785-4081. The clinic will serve people throughout Southern Conn. and beyond. The MDA-sponsored clinic is one of 220 MDA outpatient clinics that the Association maintains across the country.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education, medical and support services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

For more information on this event please contact Lauren Joyce at (203) 248-6500 or ljoyce@mdausa or Bob Mackle at (520) 529-5317 or bobmackle@mdausa.org. For more information about MDA;s programs, visit www.mda.org.