Go, Contra Costa! Firefighters Raised Nearly $56K In 'Fill The Boot'

News from the Muscular Dystrophy Association:

More than 100 members of the United Professional Fire fighters of Contra Costa County Local 1230 raised $55,900 during the annual Fill the Boot campaign from June 2 to June 4 to help save and improve the lives of people fighting muscle disease in Contra Costa County. Muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other related life-threatening diseases take away people’s ability to walk, move, smile, talk and even breathe.

“For six decades, fire fighters have fueled MDA’s mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases, and this year’s Fill the Boot results are a perfect example of the true dedication of the United Professional Fire fighters of Contra Costa County Local 1230 has toward supporting the families we serve,” said Executive Director P.J. Smith. “We’re grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who provide life-saving help that will fund research, advocate for children and adults affected by muscle disease, and rally our community to fight back.”

Funds raised through the 2015 Fill the Boot events in Contra Costa County build on decades of research progress, helping push science to its limits in the search for treatments and cures.

Those who were not able to make it to the events in person are encouraged to donate online at www.mdaevent.org/contracostacounty2015.

Dollars raised help support MDA’s life-enhancing programs such as state-of-the-art support groups and clinics, including the MDA Clinic at California Pacific Medical Center at Forbes Norris in San Francisco, Stanford’s Adult Neuromuscular Clinic and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Pediatric Neuromuscular Clinic in Palo Alto, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Pediatric Neuromuscular Clinic and UCSF Medical Center ALS Clinic in San Francisco. They also make MDA summer camp possible so kids with muscle disease can enjoy “the best week of the year” at Westminster Woods in Occidental, CA and nearly 80 other locations nationwide.

Thank you to the following Community Partners:

Members and volunteers of United Professional Fire fighters of Contra Costa County Local 1230, Kinders Meats and BBQ, Starbucks, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Cinemark Theaters, Chipotle in El Cerrito, King Donuts in Concord, Somersville Towne Center in Antioch, the City of Antioch, the City of El Cerrito, the City of Hercules, the City of Moraga, the City of Orinda, the City of Pleasant Hill, the City of Walnut Creek and all donors throughout the county.

About the IAFF

The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 300,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. 

About MDA
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to saving and improving the lives of anyone with muscle disease, including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. Visit mda.org and follow at www.facebook.com/mdasanfrancisco and @MDA_San_Fran.