- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Politics
- School Zone
- Youth Camps
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Nonprofit Group Gets an Online Assist
A local nonprofit organization dedicated to raising research funding and awareness in the fight against Spinal Muscular Atrophy received a boost this month when an online marketplace selected it as its October nonprofit “Cause of the Month.”
The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation was started by Victoria and Bill Strong of Santa Barbara after their then-6-month-old daughter, Gwendolyn, was diagnosed with the terminal disease. Now 2, Gwendolyn was born healthy but the degenerative nature of her condition inspired the Strongs to seek a cure and help other families grappling with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, the No. 1 genetic killer of young children.
Last month, their foundation launched ShopToEndSMA.com, a partnership with We-Care.com. Under the program, online shoppers, through the participation of hundreds of major Internet retailers, can donate a portion of their Web purchases to the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. Earlier this month, We-Care.com selected the foundation as its October Cause of the Month.
“ShopToEndSMA.com and our partnership with We-Care.com is an example of how GSF is focused on harnessing the power of the Internet and social media to do our part in helping cure SMA once and for all,” Bill Strong said.
“The cure for SMA is truly within reach and each and every collective penny makes a difference in the timeline of these groundbreaking SMA-focused research programs.”
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a terminal, degenerative disease that affects the voluntary muscles in infants and children, including their ability to walk, sit, stand, eat, breathe, and even swallow. Some 90 percent of children born with SMA die before age 2, according to FightSMA.org. Although the disease is not a household name, the gene responsible for it is unknowingly carried by 1 in 40 people, or nearly 10 million Americans. According to Strong, there currently is no treatment or cure, but SMA research researchers have said one is possible in the next five five years if provided the appropriate resources.
Click here for more information on the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, or click here for more information on FightSMA.org.
— Noozhawk publisher Bill Macfadyen can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk.
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules.
- No abusive, defamatory or libelous attacks. In plain English: No personal attacks.
- No vulgar or discriminatory language.
- If you do not follow these rules, don't be surprised if your comment is removed.
- Please use the Report Abuse button on offensive comments.
- Share what you know, ask about what you don't. Give us your eyewitness accounts, observations, background and history. Tell us what else you want to know about the story.
- Stay on the topic, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK, and forgive people their spelling errors.
Noozhawk's intent is not to limit the discussion of our stories but to elevate it. Thank you for your respectful participation. Click here for our complete Terms of Use.
Comments are moderated, and will not appear until they've been approved.
» on 10.20.09 @ 05:39 AM
This is such wonderful exposure for this family and the other families struggling with this awful disease. Thank you for covering this story!
More Local News »
Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing Project
Construction starts on four homes for low-income families at 618 San Pascual St.
Kids Expo a One-Stop Shop for Family Fun, Resources
More than 100 businesses and nonprofits will be on hand for Saturday's event at La Cumbre Plaza
New Marketing Director Joins Sansum Clinic
Jill Fonte will oversee the clinic's marketing strategy and promotion of its programs and services
Jodi House Welcomes New Director of Programs
Cheryl Hermann joins the nonprofit's Brain Injury Support Center
Sunrise Rotary Club Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Mayor Helene Schneider presents a proclamation honoring the organization's service to the community
Weather: Overcast 63.0º
Search Noozhawk »
