Before you decided I've completely lost my mind and stop reading....let me explain. It's for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I've chosen to participate in their fund-raising effort by agreeing to be locked up on November 17th. In order to be released, I need to raise $3200 in bail money!I'll be honest, the only thing I knew before today about muscular dystrophy was...well, nothing. I started to say I knew about Jerry's kids, but I think if you'd have asked me yesterday, I wouldn't have been able to tell you his telethons were for MDA. After I got the call saying a friendly warrant had been issued for my arrest, I did the geek thing I do-research.
Turns out, muscular dystrophy isn't just one thing...the muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of more than 30 genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement. There's no treatment or cure and no way to reverse the diseases. There are some therapies and drugs that are used to treat the effects of the various diseases.
According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association website,
There are so many different causes that are asking for your money these days. We have all been hit by one disease or another either personally or through a friend or family member. Obviously, the charities that raise awareness or sponsor research for those nearest and dearest to our hearts will also be the ones that reach into our pocket books as well.MDA is the world's largest non-governmental sponsor of research seeking the causes of and effective treatments for neuromuscular diseases, sponsoring 330 research projects annually.
Allow me to tell you why it is you should click on my bail raising link and help to raise funds to research these diseases. Because if you're reading this blog, chances are you either run now, did run at some point in time, or want to run some time in the future. Children and adults who are most severely hit by MD aren't afforded that luxury. These diseases rob people of the joy you and I know that comes with running. There is constant ongoing research looking at everything from how to eradicate these diseases to how to most effectively treat them. But, that costs money.
Ultimately, my goal is to raise $3,200 for "bail" by November 17th at 2pm, but that's the "marathon" if you will. I have been told that one hour of research costs just $74. Therefore, I have a preliminary goal to raise $74 in 74 hours (that's my "one mile" mark).
I know all too well how easy it is to put off making a donation when things like this pop up--I am the QUEEN of procrastination. But, won't you consider CLICKING THE LINK and making a donation that will help me make it the first mile of my marathon...and help MDA get closer to a "cure"??
