In honor of Daniel Lowe, founder of STOP! Machado-Joseph Disease, I'd like to raise $10k to contribute towards the research and treatment of Machado-Joseph Disease.

WHAT IS MACHADO-JOSEPH DISEASE?

The name “Machado-Joseph” comes from two families of Portuguese/Azorean descent who were among the first families described with the unique symptoms of the disease in the 1970s. The prevalence of the disease is highest among people of Portuguese/Azorean descent. For example, among immigrants of Portuguese ancestry in New England, the prevalence is around one in 4,000, and the highest prevalence in the world, about one in 140, occurs on the small Azorean island of Flores. 

MJD is characterized by slowly progressive clumsiness in the arms and legs, a staggering lurching gait that can be mistaken for drunkenness, difficulty with speech and swallowing, impaired eye movements sometimes accompanied by double vision or bulging eyes, and lower limb spasticity.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Since Daniel and his wife funded the initial operating costs, the money you give will really help to go towards research and treatment of those with this disease.  StopMJD's goal for this year is $2.5 million, so let's help them continue towards their goals and shed light on MJD. Learn more at StopMJD.com.

Every donation is important. Please share this fundraiser with anyone else you know who would want to participate!  Let's honor Daniel's memory by helping him and his family achieve their goals in stopping this disease!

Photo credit: NEWS LTD