MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION OFFERS FREE FLU SHOTS
TUCSON, Ariz., Nov. 12, 1999 - The Muscular Dystrophy Association is again offering free flu shots for those affected by any of 40 neuromuscular disorders. Influenza is particularly hazardous for people living with muscle-wasting diseases, including muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).
Funds raised during the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon help make it possible for MDA to administer thousands of free flu shots annually. The linchpin in its grass roots effort, the Labor Day Telethon also helps MDA fund worldwide research into neuromuscular diseases and potential therapies, offer comprehensive medical services for affected families, and provide far-reaching professional and public health education.
"For decades, MDA flu shots have helped 'my kids' reduce the chance of getting respiratory infections caused by influenza," said Jerry Lewis, MDA national chairman. "This is vitally important. Neuromuscular diseases ravage all muscles, including those responsible for respiration, so the flu can be life-threatening for children and adults with progressive muscle diseases."
People registered with MDA may have transportation made available or be reimbursed for travel costs to visit the MDA clinic. The Association will also pay a local doctor to administer a flu shot if a person isn't close to one of MDA's 230 clinics.
For more information or to set an appointment for a free flu shot, call your local MDA office, MDA headquarters at (800) 572-1717, or visit www.mda.org.
MDA is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases affecting more than a million Americans. The Association receives no governmental grants, nor does it seek fees from the families it serves. MDA is the first voluntary health agency to be honored with the American Medical Association Lifetime Achievement Award "for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity."
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