MDA hosts "jail and bail"
By COLLIN MCRANN
Sun Advocate reporter
The event raised money and awareness to help fight Muscular Dystrophy
On Oct. 29, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) converged on Price. With the help of the Carbon High cheerleading team, the association began arresting prominent citizens and putting them up for bail. While no crimes were committed, the association counted on the bail money to raise funds for muscular dystrophy research as well as to provide benefits for sufferers.
"I had a cousin when I was real young who had muscular dystrophy, instead of being at work I'm doing this," said local, Gary Gray, who was interned at JB's Restaurant for the cause.
This is not the only event sponsored by the association ,which hosts various fund raisers over the year, but this is the only one in and around Carbon County. In total, the MDA locked up about 40 to 45 people for the day in Price, which, in Utah alone, raises about $1.6 million over the year.
"The lockup program is our bread and butter, kind of the big stable program that we do," said Angela McBride, of the Salt Lake MDA.
The disease itself is complicated, with many different effects. It is characterized by weakness in muscles or skeletal structure. However, other parts of the body can be affected, too, including nerves, which can impair motor skills.
The MDA has more than 200 offices across the country, sponsors 220 hospital-affiliated clinics and supports nearly 400 research projects around the world. Most of these projects are run with the help and support of the volunteer programs, such as the one held in Price last week.
The MDA was created in 1950, by a group of adults who suffered from muscular dystrophy, parents of children with muscular dystrophy, and a physician-scientist studying the disorder. Since its earliest days, it has been energized by its number-one volunteer and national chairman, entertainer Jerry Lewis.
To view video coverage of this event click here.
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