February 7, 2002

On Shamrocks Against Dystrophy

It's no secret that everyone is an honorary Irish person on St. Patrick's Day. And the fact that March 17 is rapidly approaching can mean only one thing. It's time to buy an MDA Shamrock mobile!

In the coming weeks, supermarkets, convenience stores and restaurants will be adorned in the green — and, in some cases, gold — hues of MDA Shamrocks, as part of MDA's Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign.

MDA National Vice President Maureen McGovern

Patrons will have the opportunity to purchase and sign a Shamrock mobile and then see it put on display in the establishment as a way to publicly honor that person's caring support of MDA.

Funds raised by the sale of Shamrocks and Shamrock pins support MDA's programs in research and health care services providing help and hope to families fighting neuromuscular diseases.

It really adds to the spirit of the holiday to see your favorite dining and shopping establishments festooned with brightly colored Shamrocks displays, sometimes with every square centimeter of wall or window space covered by layers of green and gold.

The Shamrocks program is one of MDA's most successful fund-raising campaigns, helped enormously by the efforts of MDA National Vice President Maureen McGovern, who serves as MDA's Shamrocks Against Dystrophy national chairperson. (The acclaimed singer is also chairperson of MDA's Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis Division.)

At the time of last year's Shamrocks campaign, which raised over $11 million to benefit MDA, Maureen said: "During these last few days leading up to St. Patrick's Day, I hope millions of Americans will take just a few extra minutes to buy and sign a Shamrock at stores where they do business every day. Their donations will make a tremendous difference in the lives of families in their own communities."

What can you do to make MDA's 2002 Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign a success? It's simple. Look for the glint of green or a poster featuring Maureen's likeness while you're out making the local rounds, and patronize those establishments. Buy some Shamrocks and tell your friends to do the same.

Keep an ear out and you'll hear Maureen on your local radio station, delivering public service announcements about Shamrocks and serenading listeners with renditions of such Gaelic-themed tunes as "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and "How are Things in Glocca Mora?"

In addition to supporting the Shamrocks Against Dystrophy campaign, you can also make a larger contribution to MDA at any time during the year.

Remember, you don't have to be Irish to enjoy St. Patrick's Day. So get out there and "share the green" to help families fighting neuromuscular diseases.

Erin Go Bragh!

With every best wish…

P.S. Maureen McGovern will be sharing her musical gifts as she provides entertainment at "Esperanza… An Evening of Hope," a February 28 MDA fund-raising event at the Hyatt Regency in San Diego. To find out more about this exciting event which will support MDA's effort to conquer amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, call MDA's local office in San Diego at (858) 658-0902.

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