Edsel Ford High School Class of 1973

February 2006

To my relatives, friends, friends of friends and others:

(Letter edited/abbreviated at Sam's request after event)

Let me begin by introducing myself. I am Sam Mallad a 51 year old Arab/American male of Lebanese/Syrian descent. I have been permanently disabled since birth with a form of Muscular Dystrophy called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). I have been a client of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) since 1960. My involvement as a volunteer and organizer of MDA's Summer Camp program and involvement with the Labor Day Telethon has spanned 35 years.

....MDA deals with over 40 varieties of neuromuscular disease. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)... is the type of the disease I have.....

SMA is a genetic disease affecting the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement. SMA involves the loss of nerve cells called motor neurons in the spinal cord and is classified as a motor neuron disease. There is a great deal of variation in the scope and severity of SMA in different people. Over the past few years doctors in the MDA clinics in our area have diagnosed many Middle Eastern families with SMA or other neuromuscular diseases. In fact, one large family in Dearborn has four members with SMA. Genetic testing performed on members of this family by doctors and researchers has positively identified the exact gene that causes SMA. However, it takes big bucks to find a cure, which is being developed using promising gene transplant therapy.....



Please feel free to contact me at samm8056@comcast.net or MDA at 734-416-7076.

May God bless you and your family, and I look forward to seeing you....

Sincerely,