Our Involvement with Charity
About Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy is the name for a group of neuromuscular disorders that are characterized by progressive weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles that control body movement. As muscle tissue weakens and wastes away, it is replaced by fatty and connective tissue.
Each form of muscular dystrophy is caused by an error in a specific gene associated with muscle function; however, specific disorders within this group vary in many ways. The muscles involved are different from one disorder to another. The severity of the symptoms, the age at which the symptoms appear, how fast the symptoms progress, and what pattern of inheritance the disorder follows, are all factors hich differ among the various forms of muscular dystrophy. Even within a specific disorder, several individuals with the same disorder may experience the disorder and its symptoms quite differently.
Muscular dystrophies are genetic disorders. Forms of muscular dystrophy can be passed on from generation to generation, or they can occur spontaneously in a single individual as the result of a mutation of a particular gene. Contrary to popular belief, muscular dystrophy is not exclusively a childhood disorder - anyone can be affected. While some types of musculardystrophy are first evident in infancy or early childhood, other types may not appear until later in life. Over time, persons with neuromuscular disorders may lose the ability to walk, speak, and ultimately breathe. For some individuals, the disorder is fatal. There is currently no cure.
Firefighter Involvement
They give hope to thousands of Canadians with muscular dystrophy. They inspire generosity and bring awareness to neuromuscular disorders. They are our biggest supporters, and always have been. Canadian Fire Fighters have played an integral role for Muscular Dystrophy Canada since 1954, when a group of parents with children who were affected by Muscular Dystrophy approached a Fire Department and requested assistance in raising funds. With the Fire Fighters leading the way, Muscular Dystrophy Canada conducted the first residential canvass in Toronto, and raised more than $200,000 for research. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) pledged their continuing support “until a cure is found.”
Since that time, Muscular Dystrophy Canada has become a National Organization supported by more than 600 Fire Departments and Associations across Canada, who currently raise over $2.8 million dollars annually – for a total of $64.1 million since 1954.
We thank Fire Fighters for being our heroes every day, and for making a difference in the lives of people with neuromuscular disorders.
