TUCSON, Ariz. — Luke Christie from Due West, S.C., has been named to a second one-year term as the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s National Youth Chairman.

Luke Christie

Christie, 16, is no stranger to spokesman duties for MDA. He served as co-host during the youth segments of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon this September, was the Association’s National Goodwill Ambassador in 2006 and 2007, and, in 2008, served as Harley-Davidson MDA Goodwill Ambassador. The motorcycle manufacturing giant is an MDA national sponsor.

MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis said he’s delighted to see Christie continuing to help MDA in its battle to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy.

“Luke adds new meaning to the term enthusiasm,” Lewis said. “He’s a bundle of energy who works tirelessly to spread the word of MDA’s mission.”

Christie has spinal muscular atrophy and uses a power wheelchair. The progressive disease causes weakness in the arms, legs and torso.

Nevertheless, he’s a whirlwind of activity. As a junior at Dixie High School, he’s an honor student and serves on the yearbook staff. He’s also a chapter Vice President and a state vice president for Future Business Leaders of America and is active in the National Beta club. In addition, Luke is a Life-ranked Boy Scout working toward the Eagle Award and volunteers at a community theater.

For MDA, Christie will work closely with the Association’s youth sponsors such as DECA (an association of marketing students) and Kappa Alpha Order, a fraternal order with 150,000 members nationwide. He’ll also continue to help promote the partnership of Harley-Davidson and MDA during travels with his mother Gloria, a certified dental assistant, and father Brad, a college English professor.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.