FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jennifer Bell 727-577-1700

NEW MDA GOODWILL AMBASSADOR NAMED

St. Petersburg January 13, 2009 –-Allison Kerns a vivacious three year old from St. Petersburg, FL has been named the Muscular Dystrophy Association Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Florida.

As the state’s Goodwill Ambassador, Allison will make public appearances throughout the community to encourage volunteers in the Association’s year round educational and fund-raising campaigns and will also take part in a number of the state’s special events.

Allison is the daughter of Mr.  & Mrs. Michael Kerns. Her condition was diagnosed as Spinal Muscular Atrophy, SMA at fifteen months of age. SMA is one of the muscle diseases covered by MDA’s research and care programs.

Allison lives in St. Petersburg, FL with her loving parents and attends pre-kindergarten at Shore Acres Elementary. Allison has many interests. She loves to be outdoors where she can take walks and enjoy nature. She loves the beach and loves to swim. Allison enjoys playing instruments, playing with friends and loves Disney Princesses. She is also a proud member of the Miracle League Baseball Team.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to defeat muscle diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. The Association funds some 350 research projects in the U.S. and abroad yearly. It also supports some 225 hospital-affiliated clinics at which people with any of the diseases covered by the Association receive medical care and support services. The MDA clinics serving the Tampa Bay area are St. Petersburg Neurology Clinic and St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital of Tampa. 

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