MDA Update
The 2023 campaign year to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) was a huge success thanks to the efforts of everyone Involved. Branch 6000 held two events to raise money for the Official Charity of the NALC. We held a golf outing last May which we do every year and is headed by President Richard McLehose and his assistant was Vinny Calvanese we also held our Red Ticket Raffle in December which was headed by myself and my assistant Frank Melisurgo. The winner for the top prize of $500.00 was Matthew Vecchio out of Deer Park. I want to thank everyone involved in making the year so successful, unfortunately due to space I am not able to list everyone.
Without the assistance of so many people we would not have been able to raise the amount of money that we did. Let me first thank you or your office who either sponsored a hole at the golf outing, played in the event, purchased raffle tickets at the golf outing or volunteered to work at the event. For the Red Ticket Raffle (RTR) thanks go to everyone who sold the tickets, bought a ticket, or assisted in separating the tickets. Because of you the membership raised $12, 630.00 which is no small feat.
I also want to thank Candance Howell who did an outstanding job raising money for the RTR drawing. Candy raised $3,520. I also want to thank all the offices that participated that worked very hard to raise funds for this worthwhile organization. The money that we raise for MDA helps to get services for people with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases.
MDA is the nation’s largest nonprofit supporter that funds research for neuro muscular diseases, funds hundreds of physicians and scientists in the struggle to free children, and their families, from the harm caused by muscular dystrophy and the more than 40 related muscle debilitating diseases.
MDA’s efforts have contributed to numerous major advances in muscle biology and therapy development. MDA sponsors medical research to develop medications and treatments that ease symptoms and extend life spans. For instance, in the past most children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) died in their teens, however, now there are some who live into their 40s.
Several new drugs for treating DMD have been approved in recent years thanks to MDA’s research programs. MDA’s online data center links medical researchers with results by aggregating health care, genetic and patient reported data transforming health outcomes and drug development in neuromuscular disease.
MDA has been involved in research into basic muscle and nerve biology since its inception when little was known about how muscles were formed or how they functioned. MDA has faced rising expenses with the need to increase advocacy efforts on state and federal levels. This is to secure priority access to vaccines. Due to Covid -19 MDA had to pivot to a telehealth model instead of in person care for the patients. COVID-19 has affected clinical trials and research, which have been changed to virtual models, something that wasn’t funded prior to the pandemic. Not only has NALC’s work helped MDA with needed resources over the past few years but the money we raise also helps to provide summer camp, access to equipment that helps their mobility and physical therapy.
On another note, I want to acknowledge the retirement of our three Full Time Officers (FTO’s). Walter Barton who served as our President for 18 years. His Knowledge, Leadership and Wisdom will be missed. Walter brought me on the board as a Trustee and I will always be grateful for that. Carol Brown was the Branches Recording Secretary who I have known for over 30 years and think of her as a true friend. Carol always offers advice and a helping hand. We spoke regularly about many issues over the years, and I will miss her. The last one retiring is the Recording Secretary Vinny Calvanese. Vinny and I have been involved with so many programs for the membership. Whether performing trainings/ workshops for the membership at branch meetings, or all the JRAP’s and spin offs that developed, Inspection Trainings and finally FSS Training. We also went to Arbitration Training together as well. Vinny is also a very good friend, and I will miss him. All these FTO’s have spent their entire careers for the betterment of the membership. For their years of dedication to the Branch I wish them all a long and healthy retirement which they deserve.
