Thousands of Kids Hop to Help Fight Muscular Dystrophy

TUCSON, Ariz., April 3, 2001 - Hopping up and down isn't an unusual activity for many young children. But hopping in order to help bring hope to children affected by neuromuscular diseases is another story.

Some 300,000 children in more than 16,000 preschools, child-care centers and elementary schools nationwide do just that when they take part in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Hop-a-Thon program. In this process, the children learn about diversity and disabilities.

In an MDA Hop-a-Thon, kids and parents obtain pledges from family members, friends or neighbors for the number of hops a child can do in two minutes -- 150 to 200 for most young kids. After the Hop, the children show proof of their hops and collect the pledges.

Donations raised help MDA send children with neuromuscular diseases to MDA summer camps, assist with buying and repairing wheelchairs and leg braces, fund worldwide research seeking treatments and cures, provide support groups for clients and families, and more.

Hop-a-Thons, such as Bunny Hops, Turkey Hops and Halloween Hops, often have fun themes tied to special times of year. MDA provides staff to help plan and implement the events as well as all needed supplies, including educational materials in English and Spanish for teaching children about their muscles, wheelchairs and how neuromuscular diseases can leave some kids without the muscle strength to hop.

"The MDA Hop-a-Thon program teaches children the importance of helping others," said Lynn White, executive director of the National Child Care Association. NCCA, a professional trade association of 7,000 early-care and education centers and preschools, works with MDA to organize Hop-a-Thons.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA maintains 230 clinics nationwide to serve adults and children affected by neuromuscular diseases.

The Association's programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors. More information is available by contacting your local MDA office, calling (800) 572-1717 or visiting www.mda.org.