Firefighters fill the boot for MDA

Muscular dystrophy affects thousands of Americans, and some of the area's bravest are doing what they can to help raise money to fight the disease.

Last week Plano firefighters took part in the annual Fill the Boot campaign. Firefighters from all Plano stations stood at various intersections throughout the city and collected donations, which go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"This is a tradition we have taken part in ever since I joined the fire department," said Mark Barnett, a 26-year veteran of the Plano FD. "We love doing this each year."

Barnett and his fellow firefighters and paramedics from Fire Station No. 6 were stationed at the intersection of Legacy Drive and Alma Drive Wednesday afternoon. Firefighter/paramedic Brad Scofield said the station had a slow Wednesday morning, with only around $500 raised. However, he said the previous shift raised more than $1,500 in one hour, so he was hopeful Wednesday afternoon would be more profitable.

Scofield has worked for Plano for four years and said he enjoys working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, even if the constant dodging of traffic makes him feel like a character from the video game "Frogger."

The International Association of Fire Fighters has participated in the Fill the Boot campaign since 1954.

Kelsey McGonigle of the Muscular Dystrophy Association said the money raised makes a difference in the lives of MD patients.

"The Muscular Dystrophy Association provides research, health care and clinics that help people who have the disease," she said. "The money raised by firefighters helps try and find treatments to help people who are suffering from neuromuscular disease."

One of the problems with treating people with muscular dystrophy is that the disease is actually a combination of many diseases with a variety of symptoms and strengths.

"Muscular dystrophy is actually a group of disorders," said Dr. Paul Hurd, a physician at Texas Neurology Consultants in Plano. "All of the forms are muscle diseases which lead to weakness and atrophy as well as impaired mobility and weakness. There are at least 10 to 15 different subtypes and variations."

Hurd said he estimates about 95 percent of all muscular dystrophy patients are treated at clinics run by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, such as the ones at UT-Southwestern and Children's Medical Center.

"There are very few primary treatments, and we don't have a cure for most of the variants of the disease," Hurd said. "The clinics have a multidisciplinary approach, with physical and occupational therapy and surgical procedures to help out the kids who have the disease. The disease is pretty complicated and the patients are best treated with clinics where they have the specialists required."

Hurd said most patients are diagnosed during childhood, and the prognosis depends on which variant the patient has.

"The disease can be fatal, but there are also milder cases," he said. "The more severe forms, such as Duchenne, affect the smaller children and are more rapidly progressive. The life span of those kids is usually shorter, but different people are affected in different ways."

To donate to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, visit www.mdausa.org/donate.

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