It's National Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month. How many ways can you make a difference in September?

MDA Community Groups

You don’t have to navigate your neuromuscular disease journey alone. As a member of the MDA Community, one of the many ways you can connect with others and share your personal story is by joining an MDA Community Group. Community Groups are supportive groups that provide a safe place to gather resources, interact meaningfully with others and exchange valuable information with others in the neuromuscular disease community.

MDA offers four different Community Groups for you to choose from including:

  • Pediatric Group for parents/guardians with a child under the age of 18 (children are welcome)
    • Third Wednesday of the month, 4pm CT
      • 7/17/2024
      • 8/21/2024
      • 9/18/2024
      • 10/16/2024
      • 11/20/2024
      • No December Meeting
  • Adult Group for adults ages 18+
    • Third Wednesday of the month, 5pm CT
      • 7/17/2024
      • 8/21/2024
      • 9/18/2024
      • 10/16/2024
      • 11/20/2024
      • 12/18/2024
  • ALS Group for those living with ALS and their family members
    • Third Thursday of the month, 5pm CT
      • 7/18/2024
      • 8/22/2024
      • 9/19/2024
      • 10/17/2024
      • 11/21/2024
      • 12/19/2024

Join a Pediatric, Adult or ALS Group

Gene Therapy Community Groups will operate in an open group conversational format that welcomes new eligible participants to join any of the six listed virtual community meetings. If you are unable to attend one of the scheduled community meetings, please feel free to join the next one. See below for the general topics for each monthly session (topics may be subject to change) and click to complete the interest form to get the link.

Currently, Gene Therapy Community Groups are open to parents/guardians of individuals with DMD (age 0-17) and SMA (age 0-2).

  • Parents/Guardians of children with DMD (age 0 – 17) or SMA (age 0-2) who HAVE received Gene Therapy or completed antibody testing
    Meeting Dates: 1st Tuesday of the month
    Meeting Time: 12pm – 1pm CT
  • Parents/Guardians of children with DMD (age 0-17) or SMA (age 0-2) who have NOT received Gene Therapy or completed antibody testing
    Meeting Dates: 1st Thursday of the month (January will be the 2nd Thursday (1/9) due to the New Year
    Meeting Time: 12pm – 1pm CT

Topics for both groups will be the same, although we expect the discussion to be different based on group experience.

September – Gene therapy and what to expect

October – Impact of gene therapy and neuromuscular disease diagnosis

November – Creating a network of support and community

December – Self-care for caregivers

January – Advocacy and awareness

February – Life after gene therapy

MDA membership is required to attend a Community Group, and Community Groups will only be offered in English at this time.

Join a Gene Therapy Community Group

Contact Us

MDA Resource staff are available Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm CT:

By Phone: 1-833-ASK-MDA1 (1-833-275-6321)
By Email: ResourceCenter@mdausa.org