Firefighters gearing up to support MDA in CT

To kick off Fill the Boot campaign

WEST HARTFORD - Members of the Connecticut Professional International Association of Firefighters Departments, along with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, will host an event June 18 to celebrate their 60-year partnership and kick off the firefighters' annual Fill the Boot campaign.

The fundraising campaign will benefit children and adults affected by muscle disease living in Connecticut. 

Guest speaker at the press conference will be Peter Carozza, UPFFA President, who will speak about the 60-year partnership as well as the goal set by the IAFF Locals here in Connecticut. 

The press conference will be at West Hartford Fire Station 2, 20 Brace Road.
"Throughout 2014 MDA and fire fighters are celebrating 60 years of proud partnership, joined together in the fight against life-threatening muscle disease, said Chasity Bothman, MDA Executive Director.
 “Firefighters do more for MDA and the families we serve than any other group. Here in Connecticut, they spend countless hours every year participating in Fill the Boot drives and at MDA Summer Camp," she said. "We're grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who have made a profound impact on our families’ health, well-being, and quality of life.”
 
Funds raised through the 2014 Fill the Boot events will help support MDA's programs of worldwide research, specialized health care services, and day-to-day support – which includes sending children affected by muscular dystrophy to a week-long, barrier-free MDA summer camp at The Channel 3 Kids Camp in Andover.

 As the Muscular Dystrophy Association's largest national sponsor, the IAFF fuels MDA's mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases. 
The IAFF is a major contributing sponsor of the MDA Show of Strength Telethon, and IAFF contributions from charity baseball games and other local events help support MDA's efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.

IAFF support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization's unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. 
The IAFF raised $100,000 for MDA in 1955, and $1 million in 1970, and firefighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. In 2013, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $26.2 million. 
To date the IAFF has raised $530 million for MDA.

About the IAFF 
The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 300,000 professional firefighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,200 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada.

About MDA
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other neuromuscular diseases. 
It does so by funding worldwide research; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement.
Visit mda.org and follow us at facebook.com/mdaconnecticut and @MDAnews. 


This is taken from a press release from MDA in Connecticut.