December 16, 2005

ON TWO WONDERFUL AMBASSADOR FAMILIES: THE FRITZ AND RICE FAMILIES

As the year draws to a close, so do the terms as MDA national representatives of two families -- the Fritz and Rice families -- who have served in important voluntary capacities to help spread awareness of MDA’s mission. (Speaking of year-end, this is a terrific time to make a gift to MDA; please consider making a generous contribution now.)

I want to acknowledge the great service rendered to our Association by these two families… while also expressing profound thanks to MDA’s National Youth Chairman, award-winning singer Billy Gilman. Billy, I’m happy to report, will be fulfilling another term in this role during 2006, continuing his dedicated work talking to young people across America about the importance of helping MDA.

	Morgan Fritz served as MDA National Goodwill Ambassador throughout 2005.

Morgan Fritz, who recently celebrated her seventh birthday, has served as MDA’s National Goodwill Ambassador over the last 12 months, with the help of her mom and dad, Sue and Ron Fritz. Morgan, who lives in St. Peters, Mo., has been one of the busiest and most effective ambassadors in our Association’s history, having traveled thousands of miles, visiting cities from Jacksonville, Fla., to Las Vegas, Nev.

“She’s MDA’s princess,” said Jerry Lewis of the delightful little girl who loves everything pink and enjoys playing with her sister, Madeline, and her brother, Austin… as well as her cat, Licorice.

Sue says that she, Morgan and Ron have been greeted like “some kind of royal family” when traveling to visit with many of MDA’s national sponsors, such as the National Association of Letter Carriers; Acosta Sales and Marketing; the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF); Citgo; and the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

In addition, during 2005 Morgan and her family took part in photo sessions with MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis and MDA Board Member Maureen McGovern; attended the 2005 Emcees Briefing, a gathering of local Telethon hosts prior to the Labor Day broadcast; addressed a meeting of MDA’s Board of Directors; and, of course, spread their message to millions of viewers during their live remarks on the national broadcast of our 2005 Telethon.

In fact, Morgan, Ron and Sue have been mainstays of the Telethon for several years, even prior to Morgan’s role as National Goodwill Ambassador. A video profile of the family first aired on the Telethon in 2003 and has been rebroadcast several times since. In addition, Ron, who is a member of the IAFF, has appeared on the broadcast in conjunction with IAFF General President and MDA National Vice President Harold Schaitberger to speak about IAFF support of MDA.

In January, the National Goodwill Ambassador role will be assumed by another fantastic youngster – Luke Christie of Due West, S.C., about whom you’ll be hearing a great deal.

Right now, I want to express gratitude to our MDA “princess” and her family for the incredible job they’ve done during the past 12 months representing families nationwide who are served by our Association. Thanks, Morgan, Ron and Sue!

Another debt of thanks is due to Chris and Reda Rice, who for the past two years have served as co-chairs of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Division of MDA. Chris and Reda live in a suburb of Houston, and have three children, Tori, Mason and Shelby.

	For the past two years, Chris and Reda Rice have served as co-chairs of the ALS Division of MDA.

“You are born with a biological family, then all of a sudden you get ALS, and you have this other family,” said Reda of the help her family has received from MDA since Chris received his ALS diagnosis in 2001.

Chris attends the MDA/ALS Center at the Methodist Hospital in Houston where he is seen by a team of specialists under the direction of neurologist and MDA Board Member Dr. Stanley Appel.

Although he continues to be ambulatory, Chris’ strength and mobility have been affected by ALS and his speech has become slurred due to the disease progression. Chris often uses a voice synthesis device to help him communicate.

During the two years they’ve served as ALS Division co-chairs, Chris and Reda have attended events, given media interviews, appeared in national print and television public service announcements and have contributed a series of penetrating and inspiring columns to the MDA/ALS Newsmagazine.

They have also generously shared their thoughts and feelings about fighting ALS with millions of viewers who tune in to the national broadcast of the Telethon.

During their joint appearance on the 2005 Telethon, Reda said: “ALS has tried to take my husband’s voice, and his legs. But it hasn’t taken his sweet heart. It hasn’t taken his brain or his good sense of humor. It hasn’t taken his love of his family and his friends. Most of all it hasn’t taken his love of living.”

Indeed, it was sweetness and unabashed honesty and decency that made Chris and Reda such outstanding and likable emissaries for MDA.

“Chris’s beautiful children see their dad as a hero, which is quite understandable,” said Jerry Lewis. “He’s soft-spoken and humble… but as strong and brave as anyone I’ve ever met. I consider myself very lucky that my work with MDA brings me into partnership with people like Chris and Reda.”

On the 2005 Telethon, Chris thanked Jerry for MDA’s dedication to defeating ALS and spoke about the strides being made in the effort to develop effective treatments.

“There has been more progress made in the last five years than in the previous 60 years,” Chris said to the audience via his communication device. “This is very encouraging, but it’s not enough. Unfortunately, people who have this disease do not have time on their side. In the past year, four people I know have died from this disease. We need to do much, much more, and fast. If I’ve said this over and over, it’s because it’s very basic and true. A cure will happen, because doctors and researchers study this disease. It will happen because of drug trials.”

Chris concluded with an urgent appeal for funding so that ALS research progress could continue.

The co-chairmanship of the ALS Division of MDA will soon be assumed by another extraordinary husband and wife team… fitness pioneer Augie Nieto and his wife, Lynne, who live in Corona del Mar, Calif.

In the meantime, I’m grateful for the strides in increased awareness and understanding of ALS that have occurred during the last two years thanks to the efforts of Chris and Reda. I know the Rices will continue to spur us on and inspire us to look for the best within ourselves while facing up to the challenge of defeating ALS.

Here’s to the wonderful Fritz and Rice families… to Billy Gilman… and to all the caring people who help MDA pursue its quest to defeat neuromuscular diseases.

On behalf of MDA, I’d also like to extend a special holiday wish of hope and good tidings to all the families we serve and to all who are friends of our Association. May you find peace and joy.

With every best wish . . .

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