To celebrate MDA National Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in September, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is hosting virtual events to raise funds for treatment and care for people affected by muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular disease.

MDA’s fundraisers, including MDA Muscle Walk and the Harley-Davidson MDA Ride for Life, will be hosted virtually for the first time to support social distancing for the neuromuscular community who are at high risk for COVID-19, according to a media release from the MDA.

“Labor Day Weekend has always been an incredibly important fundraising time for MDA, and now, during the pandemic it is more critical than ever for our vulnerable community. COVID-19 won’t stop us as we embrace virtual events for our MDA Muscle Walks, our long-standing Harley-Davidson Ride for Strength, our IAFF Fill the Boot program, and our fall galas. We will continue to raise awareness for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases so we can fund the research and care to find cures.”

— Lynn O’Connor Vos, Muscular Dystrophy Association President and CEO

MDA Virtual Muscle Walk

On September 5, MDA will host a variety of programming to get people moving, including a spin class with Flywheel instructor Colin Batty and an accessible fitness class with YouTuber Jackson Everything. The day will culminate at 3 pm ET when alumni MDA National Ambassador, Justin Moy hosts an Instagram Live Celebration event with planned attendees from across the country including top fundraising families, IAFF partners and Instagram influencer Jennifer Sierra who lives with spinal muscular atrophy.

People can tune in live and participate on the MDA Team Momentum Facebook and Instagram pages. Almost $1 million has been raised heading into this year’s event, with over 3,000 people scheduled to participate in the festivities. The virtual MDA Muscle Walk is supported by national sponsors Biogen and the Numotion Foundation. The public can register and join a team, create their own team or donate here

Virtual Harley-Davidson MDA Ride for Life

MDA Ride for Life is celebrating its 33rd year as a fundraising event and its first year as a virtual event. Held over Labor Day Weekend virtually, this year’s event is open to riders everywhere.

Riders who raise a minimum of $125 will earn a limited-edition Ride for Life 33 T-shirt, designed exclusively for Ride for Life and MDA by Danial James of the Scott Jacobs Studio. Register to join the ride here and tune in to the MDA RFL Facebook page to see the live RFL Celebration Ceremony on September 5 at 1 pm ET, where one lucky rider will win a 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire motorcycle, courtesy of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The virtual event is sponsored by East Penn Manufacturing, the Eastern H-D Dealers Association, Western PA H-D Dealers Association and Harley-Davidson.

Other MDA Awareness Month Celebrations

MDA’s celebrations for MDA Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month will continue throughout the month of September, with the continuation of the storied Fill the Boot campaign with the International Association of Fire Fighters; and several virtual events and opportunities to give back including:

Fall Galas

Beginning in September, MDA will kick off its Fall gala series, a culmination of high-profile fundraisers that were cancelled and moved to virtual format due to COVID-19. Each streamed event will include visits from MDA ambassadors, mission moments and special auction items. Learn more and register for the event of your choosing: Toast to Life on September 3, Black-N-Blue on September 11, Night of Hope on October 23 and Muscle Team on November 10.

MDA Let’s Play

Gamers of all levels are invited to join MDA Let’s Play, a community of patients, supporters, friends and family united by a love of gaming. Every Saturday, at 7 pm ET, MDA Let’s Play hosts a wide variety of video games as well as unique moments with gaming influencers, special guests, celebrities, fundraising events, esports tournaments, prizes and more.

Previous hosts have included prominent gamers like YouTubers LordMinon777 and JeromeASF. Join the MDA Let’s Play Discord to participate in the weekly game nights, including a special edition Labor Day Weekend event on September 5, the release continues.

[Source(s): Muscular Dsytrophy Association, PR Newswire]


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