Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
December 31, 2009.

As we wind down 2009, Families of SMA would like to recognize that because of your support we reached a number of significant milestones.  The SMA community could not have done this without the amazing dedication and efforts of all of the families that strive to beat this disease every day. 
Thank you all for a tremendous year!

This year, your thoughtful gifts and fantastic efforts allowed Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy to accomplish the following:

-Held the largest gathering of families and researchers, more than 900 altogether, at the 2009 SMA Conference in Ohio.

-Families of SMA and Paratek Pharmaceuticals were awarded a multi-million dollar grant from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke to continue development of the Tetracycline drug candidate.

-Provided support with information and care packages to 420 newly diagnosed SMA families throughout the year.

-Families of SMA’s Motor Neuron Replacement Program for SMA received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA, and completed a pre-IND meeting.

-Families of SMA research funding lead to the publication of 18 scientific journal articles in 2009.

-Reached 230,000 unique visitors to raise awareness and fundraise for SMA through the www.curesma.org website.

-Families of SMA’s Quinazoline495 drug candidate for SMA received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA, and completed a pre-IND meeting

-Families of SMA licensed the Quinazoline drug candidate as a potential treatment for SMA to Repligen Corporation for clinical development.

-Families of SMA completed patient enrollment in two clinical trials through the Project Cure SMA clinical trials network.

-Families of SMA community has grown to over 65,000 members and supporters and 27 chapters in the US.

-Launched a new Medical Advisory Council to lead the way in improving the quality of medical care for those affected by SMA.

-Families of SMA produced 6 new booklets and publications to support families and patients affected by SMA throughout the year.

Families of SMA’s Wall of Strength campaign has now reached 80% of its $250,000 (quarter of a million dollars) goal to recognize Families of SMA’s 25 year history (quarter of a century).
Click here to see the Wall of Strength and join in.

None of this great work would have been possible without your investment and trust in our programs.

We wish you all the best in 2010 – and say thank you once again for helping the SMA community have the tremendous year we did in 2009.