Thank You to Our MDA Community for Making the
Inaugural MDA Fly Out a Success

Congresswoman Davis meets with constituents at a MDA Fly Out

We’re delighted to report that the MDA Fly Out – MDA’s August Congressional Recess outreach effort – was a terrific success thanks to you – our MDA community!

Bringing together members of the MDA community with members of Congress, Fly Out meetings took place in 17 states throughout the country. The MDA community members who participated in the meetings included families affected by neuromuscular diseases; sponsor groups including representatives from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Safeway, and Lowes; clinicians; researchers; and other friends and community leaders. Within each meeting, those present were able to acquaint the Member with their MDA community, discuss their personal health care reform priorities and concerns, and urge for support of the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act through co-sponsorship.  

The Fly Out is a twist on the D.C. “Fly In,” where grassroots advocates descend on D.C. to meet and lobby on Capitol Hill. MDA chose to focus on the August recess time – when Members are at their home offices - to avoid the burden and cost of travel for families, and to spotlight the MDA's services and supports being funded in the Members' backyard. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and several members have agreed to support issues like the SMA bill, or have pledged to give it new consideration after having met people who have a personal stake in the issue.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped us to expand the reach of our MDA community by physically participating in the Fly Out meetings or by contacting officials by phone and email in advance of the Fly Out meetings. While the August Recess will soon be over, our outreach efforts are only just beginning ... MDA is continuing to schedule meetings with congressional district offices throughout the coming months and we invite you to contact your local office if you would like to participate or help out.

Thank you for helping us to expand the voice of our MDA community!