Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy or SMA is the leading genetic cause of death in babies under the age of two. SMA affects all families across ethnic lines and there often is no history of the disease in the family. It is estimated that 1 out of every 40 individuals unknowingly carry the recessive gene for SMA genetic screening for parents to be is the best option for prevention.

Newborns with SMA are seemingly healthy but before long a lack of muscular development is apparent and debilitating. Other areas that may appear affected include muscle weakness which leads to respiratory failure and generalized failure to thrive. Children born with SMA have a compromised quality of life. Parents must often learn about feeding tubes, multiple types of surgeries and therapeutic care and other tasks not normally needed by parents to care for a baby born with SMA.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy robs individuals of their physical strength. It affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, takes away the ability to walk, eat or breathe.

Many are not aware of the disease Spinal Muscular Atrophy, something that we all know must be done so needed funds can be raised Funds are used to help with treatment and therapies as well as hopefully a cure for SMA. How can we help to bring awareness to Spinal Muscular Atrophy??

• Get organizations and teams in the area involved in raising funds for awareness
• have a local celebrity or politician to host a proclamation to bring awareness to SMA
• share with local newspapers, TV and radio stations so in return they can inform others of SMA
• become an advocate of SMA and partake in fundraising events
• hold a group candle lighting honoring those who have lost the battle to SMA
• one of the best ways for bloggers to get involved is to spread the word on social media