Muscular Dystrophy Association

Muscular Dystrophy Association
AbbreviationMDA
FormationJune 1950; 74 years ago (1950-06)
FounderPaul Cohen
Founded atNew York City, U.S.
Typenon-profit
13-1665552
Focuspatient services, disease research, care and advocacy
Location
Region
United States
Key people
  • Donald S. Wood (CEO)[1]
  • Former Governor Brad Henry (Chairman)[2]
  • Sharon Hesterlee, Ph.D. (Chief Research Officer)[3]
Revenue
$63.7 million (in 2020)[4]
Websitewww.mda.org

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. Founded in 1950 by Paul Cohen, who lived with muscular dystrophy, MDA accelerates research, advances care, and works to empower families to live longer and more independent lives.[5][6] Renowned for its Labor Day Telethon, the annual telecast aired live every Labor Day weekend, with comedian and filmmaker Jerry Lewis as its host and national chairman. Don Rickles, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Milton Berle, Wayne Newton, Norm Crosby, Don Francisco, Tony Orlando, Johnny Carson, Aretha Franklin, Maureen McGovern, Diana Ross, Angela Lansbury and others have supported MDA over the years.[7] The organization's headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois.[8]

  1. ^ Miller, Hawken (17 November 2020). "Q&A: Meet Donald Wood, the Muscular Dystrophy Association's New CEO and President". Muscular Dystrophy News. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Muscular Dystrophy Association Elects Governor Brad Henry as Chairman and Christopher Rosa, Ph.D. as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors". GlobeNewswire (Press release). 9 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  3. ^ "New MDA Program for Gene Therapy Development in Ultra-Rare Diseases: Sharon Hesterlee, PhD". Neurology Live. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  4. ^ "Muscular Dystrophy Association". ProPublica. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  5. ^ "VIDEO: Frank Sinatra Backstage at the Jerry Lewis Telethon Circa 1970s". Reel Life With Jane. 6 September 2015. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  6. ^ "Lou Gehrig Day". MLB.com. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  7. ^ "History". Muscular Dystrophy Association. 29 December 2015.
  8. ^ "MDA to Move HQ to Chicago". Globest.com. Retrieved 2023-08-18.