Kroger raising money for Muscular Dystrophy Association

Published 11:13 am Tuesday, March 17, 2009

The arrival of March signaled the start of Kroger’s Atlanta Division annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) fundraiser, where customers are encouraged to purchase a $1 green shamrock or a $5 gold shamrock at their local stores’ cash registers. The fundraiser ends April 4 with a goal of raising $410,000.

Muscular Dystrophy, a group of genetic diseases that causes progressive muscle weakness, affects more than a million Americans a year, which makes raising awareness about the disease and finding a cure imperative. While some cases may be mild and progress slowly over a normal lifespan, others produce severe muscle weakness, functional disability, and loss of the ability to walk. According to the MDA, the financial cost for medicines and treatment for persons diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy is in the range of $500,000 a year.

The MDA is a national voluntary health agency comprised of dedicated scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases. MDA contributes 78.4 percent of every dollar raised directly to research, services and education — providing those diagnosed with a national network of 230 hospital-affiliated clinics along with a valuable support system, practical information and essential services to improve their overall well-being. For more information on the MDA, please visit www.mda.org.

“Kroger is devoted to helping the Muscular Dystrophy Association raise awareness about the disease and help the MDA provide services that include diagnosis and follow-up care, summer camps and support groups,” said Glynn Jenkins director of communications for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “Given the economic conditions of our country, even the smallest donation of $1 or $5 can make a difference.”