FIVE RECEIVE DIRECTORS’ AWARDS FROM MDA

TUCSON, Ariz., Dec. 12, 2007 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association today awarded its highest philanthropic achievement honor, the MDA Directors’ Award, to a corporation, a publication and three individuals.

MDA Chairman of the Board Dr. Rodney Howell (right), presents the MDA Director's Award to Harley-Davidson representative Brian Bentley at the Association's winter Board of Director's meeting in New York City.

Receiving awards was Harley-Davidson Motor Co., an MDA national sponsor 27 years, and Parade magazine, which has featured MDA on the cover of its Labor Day weekend issue for 23 years. Also honored were Emmy-Award-winning television host Tom Bergeron; singing sensation Billy Gilman; and Paul Kessenich, vice president of J.P. Morgan Securities.

MDA Chairman of the Board Dr. R. Rodney Howell announced the honorees at the winter meeting of the MDA Board of Directors in New York. The Directors’ Award recognizes people and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to MDA’s battle against neuromuscular diseases in the areas of corporate and organizational sponsorship, media and entertainment industry support and personal fundraising.

Howell said each of the award recipients demonstrated continuing and unswerving dedication to the battle against muscle-wasting diseases affecting a million Americans. He noted that the awards come with “our deepest gratitude for all they’ve done – and continue to do – for ‘Jerry’s kids.’”

MDA is a national voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.