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Muscular Dystrophy Association Lock-Up Fundraiser
The
Muscular Dystrophy Association of Collin County held its annual MDA Lock-Up
fundraiser for 2004 this past February. Dr. Shannon received a telephone
call early in the month advising him that he had been charged with the
offense of "having
a generous heart" and setting "bail" at $ 2000.00. He faced
the prospect of jail time if bail was not raised by MDA's deadline.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association ( MDA) is a national voluntary health organization dedicated to the mission of conquering a wide range of neuromuscular diseases. These diseases are characterized by the progressive degeneration of voluntary muscles in the body. More than a million Americans are currently afflicted with this condition.
MDA is striving to find effective treatments and cures for 43 neuromuscular diseases while working as well to improve the quality of life for those individuals served by the Association. MDA's programs are provided at no charge to those who benefit from it. Locally, MDA of Greater Dallas invests almost one million dollars each year for research to the University of Texas Health Science Center and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.
Faced with the prospect of a lengthy jail sentence, Dr. Shannon
appealed to his family, friends, and associates in the dental community,
and was able to raise over $ 1000.00 before the deadline. MDA decided
that he had made a good faith effort to meet his goal so bail was reduced
to the amount raised. Dr. Shannon is back in the office taking care
of our patients and thankful for getting a "second chance".
MDA is dependent on voluntary donations alone in the pursuit of its
mission. No
government funds are received by it. "Money Magazine" ranks
MDA among the top 25 Best Managed Charities in the United States. If
you are looking for a
worthwhile organization to support with your dollars, please consider
giving to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
