ST. LOUIS — When families streamed into Forest Park Sunday morning, many of them were there for a walk to cover new ground in the fight against muscular dystrophy.
"You know for me the diagnosis was one of the most important aspects because it provided some important answers," Lauren Wilson said. "Although there is no treatment or cure for my particular form of muscular dystrophy, just knowing what it was was a relief."
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is raising money with their annual Muscle Walk for support, care, and research on the hereditary condition affecting a patient's muscles.
Sunday's walk brought together people with muscular dystrophy and their advocates, a chance for some to reconnect and share stories.
"It's just giving your family a sense that there are other families out there doing exactly what you were doing and you aren't alone," MDA advocate Andrea Weber said.
For more information, visit the Muscular Dystrophy Association website.
5 On Your Side hosted its annual Show of Strength Telethon over Labor Day weekend to raise more than $400,000 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The total includes donations from Cardinals Care, Hays Family Foundation, The Flying Pigs Foundation, Maryville University and Weber Chevrolet. Contributions raised will fund treatments and care for those living with neuromuscular diseases.
“I’ve been bragging about the generosity of St. Louisans for years but never in my wildest dreams did I think we could raise this much money in such a short time,” said Mike Bush. “Thanks to our amazing viewers, we gave MDA families an extra dose of hope.”