MDA Shamrocks fundraising campaign underway across US
Supports research into and care for those with ALS, like diseases through March
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has rolled out its St. Patrick’s Day fundraising campaign, MDA Shamrocks — the largest such campaign in the U.S. marking this day — to raise money for research, patient care, and advocacy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other rare neuromuscular diseases.
Thousands of retailers across the U.S. are inviting customers to participate by rounding up the cost of their purchases, or by donating $1, $5, or more. Those donating may write their names on paper pinups, which will be displayed in food stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other participating centers as a symbol of support for people living with these progressive conditions.
Taking place throughout February and March, MDA Shamrocks is part of a larger campaign to celebrate the nonprofit’s 75 years of progress in advancing access to clinical care and resources for patients and their families, and supporting innovative research toward more effective treatments.
Contributions to MDA Shamrocks can be made in person or online
“The MDA Shamrocks retail campaign remains a cornerstone of our mission to transform lives,” Morgan Roth, MDA’s chief marketing officer, said in a press release from the U.S. nonprofit, which helps to advance research, care, and advocacy for people living with ALS, muscular dystrophy, and other rare neuromuscular diseases.
ALS is due to a loss of motor neurons, the nerve cells that control the body’s voluntary movements. Disease symptoms like muscle weakness usually are mild in the early stages, becoming more severe as the diseases progresses and affecting everyday life.
“This campaign helps Americans better understand the challenges faced by the rare disease community, and that translates into generous giving that helps us generate real impact,” Roth said. “Thanks to our partnerships with retailers and the incredible support of their customers, we continue to lead the field in bringing progress home to the millions of Americans living with rare neuromuscular diseases.”
The Shamrocks campaign also is running online, and those donating $35 or more will receive a limited-edition MDA T-shirt while supplies last. Green with a yellow shamrock design representing hope and empowerment, the shirt was designed by Matthew Plummer, a member of the MDA’s board of directors.
Campaign coincides with MDA’s 75th anniversary
“The MDA Shamrocks campaign is especially meaningful this year as we celebrate MDA’s 75th anniversary,” said Plummer, a creative director and brand manager at The University of Texas Permian Basin. “To contribute … during this milestone is an honor.”
Plummer, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease also marked by progressive muscle weakness, said the MDA’s efforts “have brought us into an era where treatments … are no longer dreams but realities. As a father and husband living with SMA, I’ve seen first-hand how MDA’s efforts have advanced research and care, and these advancements mean everything to me.”
Tracy Denton, MDA’s senior vice president of development partnerships, called the campaign “iconic,” adding that “shamrocks in nature are rare, and their significance symbolizes the strength and resilience of the rare disease community. We’re immensely grateful to retail partners, their employees, and their customers for their decades of support in helping us drive progress forward.”
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