MDA, IAFF CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP

International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger and 5-year-old Morgan Fritz of St. Peters, Mo., who has spinal muscular atrophy, celebrate the 50-year partnership between MDA and the IAFF. Morgan's father is a fire fighter and paramedic and a member of IAFF Local 2665.

TUCSON, Ariz., June 2, 2004 — This year marks 50 years of partnership between the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the fight against more than 40 neuromuscular diseases.

In appreciation of the IAFF’s longtime support, MDA plans special thank-you observances at both the 2004 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Labor Day weekend and the IAFF Biennial Convention in Boston Aug. 15-21.

“The IAFF is by far MDA’s largest sponsor, and the untiring efforts of fire fighters and paramedics have powered our service and research programs for decades,” MDA President & CEO Robert Ross said. “This year, we want to take every opportunity to show our profound gratitude.”

The IAFF began its partnership with MDA at the union's 1954 convention in Miami, where the membership proclaimed it would support the voluntary health agency’s efforts “until a cure is found.” Since 1954, the IAFF has raised nearly $200 million for MDA.

The organization’s fund-raising for MDA has grown dramatically under the leadership of General President Harold A. Schaitberger, who has held the office since 2000.

In 2003, the IAFF raised $18.3 million for MDA, helping to fund a worldwide research program, a network of some 230 clinics and 30 ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) centers, assistance in obtaining wheelchairs and other durable equipment, public health education, and summer camps for more than 4,000 youngsters with muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

“It’s important for communities to understand that fire fighters are laying their lives on the line every day in their neighbor’s behalf, but they still have the time and commitment to raise money for such a worthy charitable cause,” said Schaitberger, who is also an MDA vice president.

At its March 5 board meeting in Bal Harbor, Fla., IAFF board members paused to recognize the 50-year anniversary of the inauguration of the two organizations’ relationship.
The fire fighters help MDA year-round through activities such as the Fill-the-Boot streetside campaign, softball tournaments, bowl-a-thons and other special events. Many fire fighters serve at MDA summer camps.

To celebrate the golden anniversary, the IAFF has prepared for its best year ever in supporting MDA, Schaitberger said.

To learn more about MDA’s programs, call the MDA office nearest you; call MDA national headquarters at (800) 572-1717; or visit www.mda.org.

To learn more about the MDA/IAFF partnership, visit www.iaff.org.