THE WESTFALL FOUNDATION

Seek-A-Miracle is the first non-profit organzation in the United States to raise funds for the sole benefit of FA research. Joining forces with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). MDA allocated an account specifically for Seek-A-Miracle and the express use of its funds for the research of this disease. Over the years, individuals and families have joined the SAM, holding walk-a-thons, bike rides, bowl-a-thons, bakes sales and more to benefit SAM. Since the creation of SAM in 1994, over $1.3 million have been raised solely for the sake of FA research.

A voluntary health agency working to defeat neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA is the largest nongovernmental sponsor of neuromuscular disease research. More than 1 million Americans are affected by neuromuscular diseases. About 250,000 have some form of muscular dystrophy. Included in the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases covered by MDA are nine forms of muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig`s disease), myasthenia gravis, spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and others. MDA is the first nonprofit agency to be recognized by the American Medical Association with a Lifetime Achievement Award for "significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity." MDA was founded in 1950 and awarded its first research grant to Dr. Ade Milhorat, a pioneer of modern muscular dystrophy research.

Founded in 1998, for the purpose of creating a research alliance that woul achieve treatments and a cure for Friedreich`s Ataxia. FARA is a national, public, 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to slow, stop, and reverse the damage caused by this disorder. Promote scientific biomedical research — basic, translational, and clinical — through research grants, workshops, and the collaborative exchange of information within the scientific community. FRA additionall serves as a patient advocacy group, educating the public, elected representatives and goverment agencies about FA and the importance of funding biomedical research. They also rally patients, familyes, scientific investigators, health care providers and other to be supporters and advocates for advancements taht will lead to treatment and a cure.

The National Ataxia Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of persons affected by ataxia through support, education, and research. Supporting Promising Ataxia Research Since 1957 NAF is a membership supported, nonprofit organization to help persons with ataxia and their families. The Foundation`s primary purpose is to support promising ataxia research and to provide vital programs and services for ataxia families.