MDA Update
The 2025 campaign 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 up by President Richard McLehose and me as his assistant. We also held our Red Ticket Raffle in December, which was headed by my assistant, Frank Melisurgo, and me. The winner for the top prize of $500.00 was Robert Edwards out of Huntington Station. We also had two $60.00 consolation prizes to Applebee’s. Those winners were Kenny Roggenkamp from Farmingdale and Emily Almonte from Great Neck. I want to thank everyone involved in making the year so successful.
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 for your office, which 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 $10,600.00, which is no small feat.
I also want to thank the following offices, who did an outstanding job raising money for the RTR drawing: Babylon / West Babylon $238.00, Bay Shore $140.00, Farmingdale $112.00, Huntington Station $202.00, Hicksville / Jericho $168.00, Patchogue $104.00, East Meadow $182.00, Levittown $111.0,0, and Brentwood $100.00. I also want to thank all the offices that participated and 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 neuromuscular 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 some 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. Just last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officially added Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Duchenne) to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), the national list of conditions recommended for newborn screening across all states. This milestone represents a major step forward in early identification and care for children living with Duchenne.
MDA is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and over 300 other neuromuscular conditions. For 75 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for support and inclusion of families living with neuromuscular disease. MDA's mission is to empower people to live longer and to have more independent lives.
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 the state and federal levels. This is to secure priority access to vaccines. 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.
