The Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of South Africa (MDFSA) is a registered non-profit organisation that serves to support all those affected by muscular dystrophy nationwide and to improve their overall quality of life.
Robert Scott, the Business Development Specialist of the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Gauteng said, “As a volunteer organisation we rely on the support and goodwill of donors to assist us. Your support is needed to help MDFSA raise awareness about this crippling, and often fatal disease, by purchasing a virtual watering can to assist their sunflower to grow.
We have designed a number of online campaigns to help us with awareness and fundraising. One such campaign is called ‘Sunny Side up’ where we ask the public across the country to donate R10 for a virtual watering can that will then help to grow a digital sunflower. They can then follow how their sunflower grows by visiting our website here. ”
He added that muscular dystrophy is a hereditary condition marked by the progressive weakening as well as wasting of a person’s muscles, and it varies in complexity and severity.
“Sufferers are characterised by progressive muscle weakness, leading to secondary effects such as fatigue, increasingly limited physical activity, impaired balance, often collapsing. The prognosis varies according to the type of dystrophy and the speed of progression. Some types are mild and progress very slowly, allowing normal life expectancy, while others are more severe and result in functional disability and loss of the ability to walk.
Life expectancy may depend on the degree of muscle weakness and any respiratory or cardiac complications. Respiratory and cardiac diseases are common. It is important to note that muscular dystrophy is not contagious and cannot be brought on by injury or activity. There is no specific treatment to stop or reverse the progression of any form of muscular dystrophy,” he explained.
Robert added that the campaign’s slogan on social media is ‘I want to be like a sunflower; so that even on the darkest days I will stand tall and find the sunlight’ and said, “Just like a sunflower brings hope and happiness to those who see it, a mere R10 can do the same for those suffering from muscle dystrophy”.
To purchase your virtual sunflower, use the following details:
Bank: Nedbank, Current account
Account number: 195 850 2049
Branch: Gauteng West
Branch code: 198-765
Please use ‘Sunny’ as your reference.He concluded by saying, “MDFSA would also like to say a big thank you to Corpnet Print Excellence for designing the sunflower graphics to use with our campaign”.
For more information about the organisation, contact Robert on 011 472 9824.
