Earlier this week, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) held their Muscle Team Gala to wipe out Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium.
Rollx Vans was a sponsor and fundraiser and a few Rollx Vans employees volunteered their time to help out during the gala. In all, the event raised more than $150,000 towards finding a cure for SMA.
What is SMA?
SMA is a genetic disorder that manifests in various degrees of severity that affects muscles and causes mobility impairment. There are four types of SMA including infantile, intermediate, juvenile and adult-onset.
Adult-onset usually happens after age 30 with the gradual weakening of muscles that mainly affects the proximal muscles and frequently renders the person wheelchair-bound. The juvenile form is diagnosed after 18 months of age for children who are able to walk without support at some time, but lose that muscle ability.
The two more severe forms of SMA happen with the intermediate and infantile types. The intermediate type affects children who are never able to stand or walk, but who are able to sit at some point. This type is usually noticed between six and 18 months of age. For this type the body muscles are weakened and there is concern for the respiratory system. SMA II patients may live into adulthood, but life expectancy is reduced.
SMA I (infantile) has a quick and unexpected onset that causes inefficiency with many of the major bodily organs. Babies with SMA I do not usually live past two years of age, but approximately 10 percent of cases do live into adolescence or adulthood.
This video called “Bryce’s Story” shares more about SMA.
Rollx Vans was proud to be a sponsor and fundraiser for the MDA Muscle Team Gala to wipe out SMA.
What did you think of Bryce’s Story? Do you know anyone with a similar story? Please let us know in the comments.