MDA HOLIDAY CARDS OFFER WISHES & HOPE

TUCSON, Ariz., September 6, 2001 — In what's become a holiday tradition, the Muscular Dystrophy Association announced that six original works of art — all created by artists who are affected by neuromuscular diseases in MDA's program — have been selected to appear on MDA holiday cards this year.

"Tranquility" by Jack MacColeman

"We’re pleased to once again feature talented artists from the MDA family on our beautiful holiday cards," MDA President Robert Ross said. "The works these artists have created are deeply inspiring, and we're pleased to be able to offer them on our cards for this holiday season."

Proceeds of sales from the MDA Holiday Wishes Card Collection will support MDA's worldwide research program in search of cures and treatments, as well as the Association's network of clinics and an array of programs that provide life-enhancing services for adults and children. MDA's programs cover nine forms of muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease), spinal muscular atrophy, myasthenia gravis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, among more than 40 neuromuscular disorders.

The sixth annual Holiday Wishes series features a variety of festive images, including winter scenes, a Hanukkah theme, and a Christmas tree painted by Sarah Schwegel, MDA's National Goodwill Ambassador.

The Birthday Tree by Sarah Schwegel

"The Birthday Tree," celebrating the Nativity, is a watercolor painting by the Kirkwood, Mo., 8-year-old, who reports that she's been drawing and painting "forever!" Sarah has spinal muscular atrophy.

Happy Hanukkah by K. Edgar Swados

A popular card from last year's set, "Happy Hanukkah" by K. Edgar Swados of Norcross, Ga., combines traditional Hanukkah images — the dreidel, the menorah and the Star of David — in a single, brightly colored mixed-media piece. Swados, a retired teacher and former Hollywood set designer, has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

"Tranquility," the aptly titled acrylic from Jack MacColeman of Troy, Mich., is the artist's fourth selection for the MDA Holiday Wishes Card list. He's earned numerous awards for his artistic expressions of love for animals and the outdoors, and this piece features two curious deer in the snow. MacColeman has McArdle's disease.

Winter Sunset by Chris O'Brien

"Winter Sunset" is an evocative watercolor from Chris O'Brien of Iowa Falls, Iowa. O'Brien has artwork on display in galleries across the country — including a piece in the permanent MDA Art Collection. Her imagery is so vivid that one can almost feel a cold breeze emanating from this picture. O'Brien, who also has numerous book illustrations to her credit, has mitochondrial myopathy.

Welcoming Lucia by MaryAnn Miller

"Welcoming Lucia" is the title of the digital media piece submitted by MaryAnn Miller of Clinton, N.J. Miller has two pieces in the permanent MDA Collection, and "Lucia" is her second Holiday Wishes card. A retired art teacher and school counselor, Miller reports that she has been painting "for as long as I can remember." She has periodic paralysis.

Wintertime Fun by Carla Koehn

Carla Koehn of McPherson, Kan., has contributed "Wintertime Fun," a brightly colored cartoon done with markers, depicting two children building a snowman. Koehn, a trained commercial artist, has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

Most of the artists whose work is featured on the 2001 Holiday Wishes cards have artwork on display in the MDA Art Collection. The Collection, which comprises more than 260 works by artists ages 2 to 82 and represents 48 states, is displayed at MDA national headquarters in Tucson, Ariz. Each artist is affected by one of the neuromuscular diseases in the MDA program.

Selected pieces from the Collection have appeared in art exhibits across the nation.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association's programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

For more information about MDA, call (800) 572-1717