October 08, 2007

LVIA Hosts 2nd Annual "Airplane Pull Challenge" for Muscular Dystrophy Association

Lehigh Valley, PA—On Saturday, October 6th, more than 600 people will band together at the Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, PA in an attempt to pull a FedEx 727 airplane weighing 167,000 lbs. a distance of 12 feet. More than 15 teams comprising of 15-20 individuals will be performing this amazing feat of strength in order to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Each team is expected to raise $1,500 - enough to fund 20 minutes of scientific research. Teams will face off from 9:30 am - 1:00pm, competing for assorted prizes such as fastest pull, slowest pull and top fundraiser.

Two local clients in the Lehigh Valley Area, Brett Snyder and Ian Schneider, are the honorees for this year's event. Brett Snyder is a former Northwestern Lehigh High School and Lehigh University Fullback who was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in 2005. ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a degenerative disease that affects the motor neurons responsible for voluntary muscle movement. While the influences of ALS are first noticeable in the outer limbs or throat and mouth, the disease will ultimately affect all voluntary muscles and result in paralysis. MDA is the world leader among voluntary agencies in fighting ALS.

Ian Schneider is a 4 year old boy diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy in 2005. Duchene is a general muscle weakness and wasting disease affecting the pelvis, upper arms and upper legs first. It progresses slowly, yet eventually involves all voluntary muscles. Survival is rare beyond the late 20s.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency aimed at conquering the 43 neuromuscular diseases, including ALS, which affects over one million Americans. MDA combats neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive local services and far-reaching professional and public health education. MDA seeks no government grants, United Way funds or fees from patients and their families - enabling those receiving aid from the association to do so free of charge.

For more information about MDA, visit www.mda.org.