Muscular dystrophy is a disease caused by protein deficiency that gradually eats away at muscle tissue. Every year, thousands of children suffer from muscular dystrophy, and the brothers of Kappa Alpha have taken it upon themselves to raise money for those affected by this disease.
From Tuesday, Nov. 6 to Thursday, Nov. 8, members of Kappa Alpha collected donations for their fundraiser “Rock Away for MDA,” in which they sat in rocking chairs in the middle of the Student Union for three days. The proceeds go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), an organization that promotes research for muscular dystrophy treatments and also provides resources for families affected by this disease.
“It is our national philanthropy, and we actually had to privilege to go to the MDA summer camp that we raise money for. We usually have four or five guys go every summer, and it gives us a chance to meet some of the kids that we’re actually raising money for,” said Charles McLennan, Kappa Alpha president.
According to McLennan, “Rock Away for MDA” raised about $300, and he is expecting them to raise much more in the upcoming MDA walk.
“The MDA walk is where we get a lot of outside companies involved,” said McLennan. “It’s the first one we’ve had in Hammond, so I’m expecting it to be kind of small. That’s where we make the most money, usually. Last year we raised $3,000. The MDA walk is pretty much a gathering of all the people that donate to get a chance to meet people with muscular dystrophy. We don’t walk very far because the kids actually participate as well.”
The MDA walk will take place Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Cate Square Park from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Donations will continue to be taken until the day of the walk. If you would like to donate, you can do so by going to www.musclewalkmda.org/hammond2012. For more information on muscular dystrophy and the MDA, visit www.mda.org.