Editing Muscular Dystrophy Association (section)

== History ==
The organization was founded in 1950 by a group with personal connections to [[muscular dystrophy]], including Paul Cohen who lived with [[Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy]] (FSHD).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Huang|first=Binghui|date=2017-09-02|title=Jerry Lewis' work pays off in new drugs for muscular dystrophy.|work=The Morning Call|url=https://www.mcall.com/health/mc-nws-biz-health-musculardystrophy-20170725-story.html}}</ref> Originally known as the Muscular Dystrophy Associations of America, it was renamed to its present name in the 1970s.<ref name=":0" />

In 1954, MDA began its partnership with the [[International Association of Fire Fighters]] for its annual Fill the Boot fundraising drive.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cleveland Firefighters raise over $40,000 for MDA|url=http://shoplocal.clevelandbanner.com/stories/cleveland-firefighters-raise-over-40000-for-mda,106475|access-date=2021-06-11|website=The Place|language=en}}</ref> In 1955, the organization held its first summer camp.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cook|first=B.W.|date=2011-07-29|title=The Crowd: Fundraiser helps summer camp programs|url=https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/tn-dpt-xpm-2011-07-29-tn-dpt-0730-cook-20110729-story.html|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Daily Pilot|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1980, American [[motorcycle]] manufacturer [[Harley-Davidson|Harley Davidson]] became an MDA National Sponsor;<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=U. M. C.|date=2009-09-11|title=Harley-Davidson contributes $4.5M to MDA|url=https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2009/09/11/2009_harley-davidson_muscular_dystrophy_association/|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Ultimate Motorcycling|language=en-US}}</ref> in 1987 the MDA Ride For Life program began, a fundraising motorcycle ride held over [[Labor Day]] weekend.<ref>{{Cite web|last=PhD|first=Patricia Inacio|title=Virtual Events Mark MDA's Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month|date=September 2020 |url=https://musculardystrophynews.com/2020/09/01/virtual-events-mark-mda-national-muscular-dystrophy-awareness-month/|access-date=2021-06-11|language=en-US}}</ref> In 1986, oil and gas provider [[Citgo]] became a second national sponsor of the organization.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Burgeson|first=John|date=2016-12-19|title=CITGO-sponsored golf tourney raises $100k for MD|url=https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/CITGO-sponsored-golf-tourney-raises-100k-for-MD-10806152.php|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Connecticut Post|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1982, the MDA Shamrocks program launched in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]], and became a national program one year later.<ref name="stpat">{{Cite web|last=Barker|first=John|title=Kroger Customers Support MDA's Shamrocks Program|url=https://patch.com/georgia/douglasville/kroger-customers-support-mda-s-shamrocks-program|website=Patch|date=25 March 2013}}</ref> In 1996, MDA and Lewis were jointly honored by the [[American Medical Association]] with a lifetime achievement awards for their contributions to the health and welfare of humanity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jerry Lewis: Biography|url=https://www.ktre.com/story/1416480/jerry-lewis-biography|access-date=2021-06-11|website=KTRE.com|date=26 August 2003 |language=en}}</ref>

Dr. Stanley Appel established Houston Methodist Hospital's amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinic with MDA in 1982, which has evolved into the MDA ALS Research and Clinical Center at the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute. Dr. Appel's pioneering work includes the development of an immunotherapy treatment that may slow the progression of ALS. Dr. Appel's efforts were recognized by the MDA when he received the MDA's Tribute Award in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=At 89, Houston Methodist Dr. Stanley Appel still at forefront of ALS research|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/renew-houston/health/article/At-89-Houston-Methodist-Dr-Stanley-Appel-still-17218283.php|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2023-08-18}}</ref>

In October 2020, the [[The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon|MDA Telethon]], which had originally run from 1966 to 2014, was reimagined as ''The MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon'' after a six-year hiatus.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Strub|first=Chris|title=After Six-Year Hiatus, Reimagined MDA Kevin Hart Kids Telethon Returns October 24|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisstrub/2020/10/13/after-six-year-hiatus-reimagined-mda-kevin-hart-kids-telethon-returns-oct-24/|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref> The two-hour event was held [[Virtual event|virtually]] due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], and [[Livestreaming|streamed live]] on the [[Laugh Out Loud Productions|Laugh Out Loud network]] and its [[YouTube]] channel.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Hawken|title=MDA Telethon Returning, Going Virtual With Host Kevin Hart|date=20 October 2020 |url=https://musculardystrophynews.com/2020/10/20/mda-telethon-going-virtual-with-host-kevin-hart/|access-date=2021-06-11|language=en-US}}</ref> Celebrity guests for the 2020 telethon included [[Jack Black]], [[Josh Gad]], [[Michael B. Jordan]], and [[Jillian Mercado]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Clolery|first=Paul|title=MDA Getting Back In The Telethon Game|url=https://www.thenonprofittimes.com/fundraising/mda-getting-back-in-telethon-game/|access-date=2021-06-11|website=The NonProfit Times|language=en}}</ref>

In November 2020, MDA launched a tool, called the neuroMuscular ObserVational Research (MOVR) Visualization and Reporting Platform (VRP), to help make [[Clinical data management|clinical data]] more accessible and accelerate the discovery of muscular dystrophy treatments.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ray|first=Dr. Forest|title=MDA Launches Tool to Make Clinical Data More Accessible to Researchers|date=12 November 2020 |url=https://musculardystrophynews.com/2020/11/12/mda-launches-tool-to-make-clinical-data-more-accessible-to-researchers/|access-date=2021-04-23|language=en-US}}</ref>

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MDA converted several of its traditional programs to virtual formats and introduced new virtual programming. The latter included several [[Facebook Live]] events discussing challenges that the pandemic placed on people with disabilities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wexler |first1=Marisa |title=MDA Hosting Online Q&A on COVID-19 Today |url=https://alsnewstoday.com/news-posts/2020/04/02/mda-hosting-online-qa-on-covid-19-today/ |website=ALS News Today |date=2 April 2020 |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wexler |first1=Marisa |title=MD Advocates Offer Advice for Students With Neuromuscular Disorders Amid COVID-19 |url=https://musculardystrophynews.com/2020/08/06/advocates-offer-advice-communication-self-care-important-students-neuromuscular-disorders-covid-19/ |website=Muscular Distrophy |date=6 August 2020 |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> It also provided COVID-19 resources and recommendations for neuromuscular patients and providers via its online resource center.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Meglio |first1=Marco |title=Apic Bio plans to initiate a phase 1/2 clinical trial in late 2021 or early 2022 as a multi-center, 3-part study to evaluate APB-102 in patients with SOD1-ALS mutations. |url=https://www.neurologylive.com/view/fda-clears-ind-application-sod1-als-gene-therapy |website=Neurology Live |date=29 April 2021 |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref> Throughout stay at home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MDA shared a "joke of the day" from National Ambassador Ethan Lybrand via their social media channels.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Waterfiled |first1=Sophia |title=Fifth-Grader Tells a Joke a Day to Keep Americans Laughing During Coronavirus Pandemic |url=https://www.newsweek.com/fifth-grader-tells-joke-day-keep-americans-laughing-during-coronavirus-pandemic-1499992 |website=Newsweek |date=24 April 2020 |access-date=29 September 2021}}</ref>

In January 2021, MDA announced [[National Football League|NFL]] running back [[Nyheim Hines]] as its national spokesperson.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tannebaum|first=Taylor|title=Colts RB Nyheim Hines named national spokesperson for MDA|url=https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/colts-rb-nyheim-hines-named-national-spokesperson-for-mda/531-c26d02f9-8a29-49f0-aa4d-df3a2bad8424|access-date=2021-07-07|website=wthr.com|date=11 February 2021|language=en-US}}</ref>

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) was established to lead research and support for individuals affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases. 

In a recent [interview](https://denver-frederick.com/2024/01/12/the-muscular-dystrophy-association-reimagined-a-chat-with-mdas-dr-donald-wood/) with Denver Frederick, Dr. Donald Wood, the current CEO of MDA, discussed the organization's founding legacy and its evolving role in reimagining support and research for the muscular dystrophy community. Dr. Wood highlighted MDA's commitment to continuing the vision of its founders through expanded programs and initiatives.