What is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)?
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron disease. The motor neurons affect the voluntary muscles that are used for activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control, and swallowing. It is a relatively common "rare disorder": approximately 1 in 6000 babies born are affected, and about 1 in 40 people are genetic carriers.
SMA affects muscles throughout the body, although the proximal muscles (those closest to the trunk of one’s body - i.e. shoulders, hips, and back) are often most severely affected. Weakness in the legs is generally greater than in the arms. Sometimes feeding and swallowing can be affected. Involvement of respiratory muscles (muscles involved in breathing and coughing) can lead to an increased tendency for pneumonia and other lung problems. Sensation and the ability to feel are not affected. Intellectual activity is normal and it is often observed that patients with SMA are unusually bright and sociable. Patients are generally grouped into one of four categories, based on certain key motor function milestones.
More info about SMA is available at the Cure SMA website; www.curesma.org
SMA affects muscles throughout the body, although the proximal muscles (those closest to the trunk of one’s body - i.e. shoulders, hips, and back) are often most severely affected. Weakness in the legs is generally greater than in the arms. Sometimes feeding and swallowing can be affected. Involvement of respiratory muscles (muscles involved in breathing and coughing) can lead to an increased tendency for pneumonia and other lung problems. Sensation and the ability to feel are not affected. Intellectual activity is normal and it is often observed that patients with SMA are unusually bright and sociable. Patients are generally grouped into one of four categories, based on certain key motor function milestones.
More info about SMA is available at the Cure SMA website; www.curesma.org
What is Cure SMA (Formerly Families of SMA)?
Where your donation goes - the Cure SMA Story
A small group of parents started Cure SMA in 1984. They wanted to raise funds for SMA research to cure the disease, and support all affected families.
Back then, very little was known about Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It was frequently misdiagnosed. Very little research was being conducted. No one knew the cause of the disease let alone how to find a treatment and a cure. There were no family support services and no clinical trials. Patients and families affected by SMA were on their own and had little hope.
Today, Cure SMA has a different story to tell: Families now have hope. We have raised over $50 million for SMA research. Cure SMA funds and directs the leading SMA research programs. Cure SMA has created hope for our community that did not exist in 1984. Our support comes from generous individual donations and numerous fundraising events held by volunteer families and our chapters.
We are very excited to inform you that Families of SMA is now Cure SMA. It is a big change that comes at a time of great progress and promise for our community. In the last decade, we have taken huge strides together over the years – thanks in no small part to your continuous support of Concert for a Cure – and today there are more clinical and more paths to a treatment than ever before.
‘Cure SMA’ is our vision, and it’s also our rallying cry – it’s why we keep fighting and funding research and raising awareness. We are confident that we can and will achieve that promise, and we are proud to have it as our name.
Concert for a Cure has raised 2 Million Dollars to date towards advancing research - making it the most successful fundraising event for SMA on the West Coast!
A small group of parents started Cure SMA in 1984. They wanted to raise funds for SMA research to cure the disease, and support all affected families.
Back then, very little was known about Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It was frequently misdiagnosed. Very little research was being conducted. No one knew the cause of the disease let alone how to find a treatment and a cure. There were no family support services and no clinical trials. Patients and families affected by SMA were on their own and had little hope.
Today, Cure SMA has a different story to tell: Families now have hope. We have raised over $50 million for SMA research. Cure SMA funds and directs the leading SMA research programs. Cure SMA has created hope for our community that did not exist in 1984. Our support comes from generous individual donations and numerous fundraising events held by volunteer families and our chapters.
We are very excited to inform you that Families of SMA is now Cure SMA. It is a big change that comes at a time of great progress and promise for our community. In the last decade, we have taken huge strides together over the years – thanks in no small part to your continuous support of Concert for a Cure – and today there are more clinical and more paths to a treatment than ever before.
‘Cure SMA’ is our vision, and it’s also our rallying cry – it’s why we keep fighting and funding research and raising awareness. We are confident that we can and will achieve that promise, and we are proud to have it as our name.
Concert for a Cure has raised 2 Million Dollars to date towards advancing research - making it the most successful fundraising event for SMA on the West Coast!
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Cure SMA is dedicated to creating a treatment and cure by:
- Funding and advancing a comprehensive research program;
- Supporting SMA families through networking, information and services;
- Improving care for all SMA patients;
- Educating health professionals and the public about SMA;
- Enlisting government support for SMA;
- Embracing all touched by SMA in a caring community.
Our vision is a world where Spinal Muscular Atrophy is treatable and curable. Your donation can help us realize this vision.
- Funding and advancing a comprehensive research program;
- Supporting SMA families through networking, information and services;
- Improving care for all SMA patients;
- Educating health professionals and the public about SMA;
- Enlisting government support for SMA;
- Embracing all touched by SMA in a caring community.
Our vision is a world where Spinal Muscular Atrophy is treatable and curable. Your donation can help us realize this vision.