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Mission and Programs

Mission

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency, a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering more than 40 neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million American adults and children. The diseases in MDA''s program include nine forms of muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig''s disease), spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, metabolic diseases of muscle, myasthenia gravis, inflammatory myopathies, CMT, SMA, and other neuromuscular conditions.

MDA combats these diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association''s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

Programs

MDA has some 200 local offices, allowing the Association to serve individuals and families affected by neuromuscular diseases in their own communities. Local chapters and task forces on public awareness, made up of people with neuromuscular diseases and their family members, provide volunteer leadership for local MDA activities.

MDA maintains more than 230 hospital-affiliated clinics across the country and supports almost 400 research projects. MDA's worldwide research program is the largest of any other private sector organization in the world. MDA backed scientists are pursuing potential treatments for more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through gene therapy, stem cell research, drug therapies and other avenues.

No other voluntary health agency in the country offers as many different vital services as MDA. The Association's services program includes diagnostic examinations and follow-up care, flu shots, support groups, summer camps for youngsters, and assistance with purchase and repair of wheelchairs and leg braces.

MDA's public education program keeps the people it serves and the public abreast of news and helpful information about living with neuromuscular diseases through news announcements, a bi-monthly magazine, other publications, a comprehensive Web site, videos, seminars and other channels. Much of MDA's information is available in Spanish as well as English.

Program / Activities (NTEE Code)

Nerve, Muscle, Bone Research
Nerve, Muscle, Bone Research

Accomplishments for Fiscal Year Ending 12/31/2001

1. MDA stem cell and bone marrow experts developed a strategic plan for initiating a human clinical trial of stem cell therapy for muscular dystrophy within the next three to five years; A multimillion dollar award was made to the University of Florida to continue the first ever human gene therapy trials in muscular dystrophy; phase I and II trials were begun to test the ability of an antibiotic to correct a specific type of mutation in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; MDA researchers discovered several new methods for correcting Duchenne muscular dystrophy in mice by artificially elevating levels of other proteins that compensate for the loss of the dystrophin protein; MDA began phase I trials of several new approaches to treating ALS including the drugs tamoxifen and celebrex.
2. The number of MDA/ALS research and clinical centers (focused on Lou Gehrig's disease) was increased to 29.
3. The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon raised a record $58.3 million.

1. Developing treatments to slow or stop muscle destruction in neuromuscular diseases, based on decades of MDA-funded research.
2. Topping last year's total of $58.3 million in pledges and contributions to the MDA Telethon on Labor Day weekend.
3. Supplying those it serves, health professionals and the public with vital information about MDA programs and living with neuromuscular diseases.

Annual reports are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Association's 230 outpatient clinics. MDA supported scientific investigations submit progress reports annually that assist medical and scientific review committees in evaluating their progress. Procedures are also in place to assess the merit of a wide range of other programs like MDA summer camps, support groups and fundraising programs.

Additional Comments

MDA has an outstanding record of devoting donations directly to program services and is widely known for its cost efficiency. The Association's Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, broadcast on Labor Day weekend, is the best known and most successful televised fundraising program in history, drawing some 75 million viewers annually.

Among other honors, MDA has received the American Medical Association's Lifetime Achievement Award for, "significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity."

Financial Data
From the organization's FORM 990

Revenue and Expenses: Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2007

Revenue			Expenses
Contributions $183,532,791 Government Grants $0 Program Services $0 Investments $3,638,750 Special Events $0 Sales $0 Other $830,602			Program Services $146,363,358 Administration $13,977,589 Other $28,766,475 Total Expenditures $189,107,422
Total Revenue	$187,994,229		NET GAIN/LOSS	$(1,113,193)

Balance Sheet: Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2007

Notes
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot long survive, but the types of assets and liabilities also must be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Assets	Apr 1, 2006	Mar 31, 2007	Change
Cash & Equivalent	$15,517,718	$30,149,495	$14,631,777
Accounts Receivable	$563,733	$0	$(563,733)
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$14,967,537	$19,436,065	$4,468,528
Receivables/Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investments/Securities	$161,872,370	$153,779,583	$(8,092,787)
Investments/Other	$843,303	$190,613	$(652,690)
Fixed Assets	$9,810,080	$9,550,789	$(259,291)
Other	$2,207,968	$2,974,288	$766,320
Total Assets	$205,782,709	$216,080,833	$10,298,124
Liabilities	Apr 1, 2006	Mar 31, 2007	Change
Accounts Payable	$25,675,101	$13,408,269	$(12,266,832)
Grants Payable	$19,061,455	$20,197,963	$1,136,508
Deferred Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$15,444,700	$15,444,700
Total Liabilities	$44,736,556	$49,050,932	$4,314,376
FUND BALANCE	$161,046,153	$167,029,901	$5,983,748

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