The International Association of Fire Fighters
(IAFF) is the largest national sponsor of the
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). More than 280,000 members of
the IAFF in the United States and Canada are pledged to saving lives,
both as fire fighters and paramedics and as the strongest campaigners
for the worldwide research efforts of MDA to eradicate 40
neuromuscular diseases. The contributions of the fire fighters also go
towards MDA’s summer camps for children, professional and public health
education, and other programs.
As the greatest contributor to MDA, fire fighters are everywhere in the
efforts of MDA to raise money. The IAFF is the biggest sponsor of
MDA’s Labor Day Telethon and it contributed a record breaking $23.5
million in year 2006 as a consequence of the overwhelming enthusiasm and
contribution of tens and thousands of fire fighters and paramedics
across the US and Canada. IAFF members have donated
nearly $275 million to MDA since 1954.
The IAFF raised millions of dollars throughout the entire year through their
passionate Fill the Boot campaigns, in which fire fighters greet motorists,
shoppers and others and ask them to donate money to MDA. This year’s upcoming
IAFF-MDA events are expected to raise even more to cure these crushing
illnesses.
The marriage between the devotion of fire fighters with the cause of
MDA has emerged as one of the strongest example of selflessness in the
history of charity, and IAFF General President Harold A. Schaitberger is
committed to elevating this tradition to even higher levels. The IAFF is
designing a plan to further expand and enhance the IAFF’s relationship
and role with MDA.
Over the ensuing decades, the commitment of the professional fire
fighters to the cause of MDA has further elevated their status as
extraordinary professionals who not only put their lives at stake to
save citizens from ruthless flames, but also give their time to save the
lives of the innocent from equally merciless neuromuscular diseases. The
devotion of IAFF members has not only helped MDA, but also united fire
fighters in a community where they share their team strength and
brotherhood to give better meaning to lives and hope for the future.
Click here to read history of our partnership
