On Sunday, April 14, more than 200 men, women and children along with people using wheelchairs and scooters will participate in the third annual Roanoke Muscle Walk Amazing Race 2013 at the Salem Civic Center. The fun event is expected to raise $50,000 to help area residents with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle diseases served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

“We’re walking to help MDA fund worldwide research and to provide unparalleled health care services to people with muscle diseases,” said Diane Boardman, MDA Executive Director – Roanoke. “Together, we’ll participate in team building games and relays and take a victory lap at the Salem Civic Center to help local families for whom MDA is a singular beacon of help and hope.”

Muscle Walk participants and Muscle Walk teams can register for the event by contacting the local MDA office at 540 772-3237 or by emailing 380.office@mdausa.org. Team memberss are encouraged to raise at least $74 in donations, the cost to fund one minute of MDA research seeking treatments and cures for muscle diseases. Many teams will reach out to Facebook friends to raise thousands of dollars (human-interest stories abound; contact MDA for “hometown hero” candidates).

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 first nonprofit organization to be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association “for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity,” MDA’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

Submitted by Nora Huddleston