'Make a Muscle, Make a Difference': MDA Announces 2013 Muscle Walk Season

Association partners with national fundraising initiative #GivingTuesday to support those in need this giving season

TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 50,000 people are registered to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association during the 2013 MDA Muscle Walk^® season, helping to "Make a Muscle, Make a Difference^®" in their communities and pay tribute to — and raise funds for — children and adults served by MDA.

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MDA Muscle Walk comprises a series of fun, non-competitive local walks held across the country, and it is the largest event of its kind in the United States. There are more than 160 walks throughout the nation, with walks scheduled from mid-January to mid-April.

"What better way to announce MDA's 2013 Muscle Walk season than on #GivingTuesday, a day where charities, businesses, families and individuals come together to support those in need through an online initiative designed to create a national day of giving," said MDA Vice President of Business Development Scarlett Marchman. "Today we encourage people to give back to families in their communities affected by neuromuscular disease by signing up for, or donating to, a Muscle Walk in their area for a day of fun and awareness with MDA."

Three new national partners have signed on for the 2013 MDA Muscle Walk season to help support the campaign and the Association's programs of research and health care services, including MDA summer camp.

BodyBuilding.com, the Internet's most-visited sports nutrition and fitness site and the largest online retailer of nutritional supplements offers more than 8,000 health and fitness products to help more than 7.3 million people every month achieve their health, fitness and appearance goals. This online powerhouse gives users more than 34,000 pages of free information, including more than 25,000 articles, 9,000 videos and expert online trainers, with new content added daily. Bodybuilding.com is an official 2013 MDA Muscle Walk Presenting Partner.

Quantum Rehab^® and Pride Mobility Products^® Corporation also is an MDA Muscle Walk Presenting Partner. Quantum Rehab, a division of Pride Mobility, designs and manufactures high-end complex rehabilitation solutions such as power chairs and power positioning seating systems. Pride Mobility is the world's leading designer and manufacturer of mobility products dedicated to providing only the highest quality mobility solutions with maximum durability and dependability.

ATG Rehab is an MDA Muscle Walk Power Partner. ATG is one of North America's leading rehab equipment providers of seating and mobility equipment, with locations nationwide. ATG Rehab's assistive technology solutions include custom seating and positioning systems, power wheelchairs, lightweight manual wheelchairs, standing and positioning frames, gait trainers, and specialty bathing aids.

"We're thrilled to have three reputable companies on board with us as national partners for MDA Muscle Walk this year," Marchman said. "Partnerships like these are crucial to the Association as we continue to build on the success of this annual campaign that provides awareness and funds for research and vital services to families served by MDA."

Last year, MDA Muscle Walk raised more than $6.2 million and more than $10 million has been raised since the campaign's inception in 2011.

To sign up for, or donate to, an MDA Muscle Walk in your area, please visit walk.mda.org.

About MDA
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

In addition to funding some 300 research projects worldwide, MDA maintains a national network of 200 medical clinics; facilitates hundreds of support groups for families affected by neuromuscular diseases; and provides local summer camp opportunities for thousands of youngsters living with progressive muscle diseases.

For more information, visit mda.org and follow MDA on Facebook (facebook.com/MDAnational) and Twitter (@MDAnews).

SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association