The Beta Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha at Missouri University of Science and Technology was honored Tuesday, April 9 by the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) for their efforts in the 2018-19 school year.
The chapter collected $4,722 through a variety of events and placed 8th in the nation of 80 chapters. Missouri University of Science and Technology students, Connor Schott, of Lee Summit, and Brad Scherrer, of Fenton, were the philanthropy chairmen overseeing the fundraising activities this year.
“They did a great job”, Jerry Bear, Executive Director of MDA in the Ozarks said. “The Kappa Alpha’s at Missouri University of Science and Technology have worked hard to help MDA since the late ’70s. There are no shortcuts in fundraising. Despite a demanding academic schedule, they have made time to help other people.”
Kappa Alpha fuels MDA’s efforts to find research breakthroughs across diseases; to care for kids and adults from day one; and to empower families in hometowns across Missouri with services and support — for the first time ever, local families have benefitted from the latest research and are part of the drug treatment program.
In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for the first drug to treat the underlying cause of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). The FDA also approved the first disease-modifying drug for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
Funds raised through Kappa Alpha will support MDA Care Centers located at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. The funds support children living with muscular dystrophy and related life-threatening diseases to a weeklong, barrier-free MDA Summer Camp at Camp Wonderland in Rocky Mount, Mo. MDA provides equipment year-round through the ‘loaner program’ made possible by Alliance Rehab. Equipment is donated or used. Alliance donates a storage unit and maintains the equipment.
“The KA’s wouldn’t have been able to achieve this without the generosity of the people in Rolla and Phelps County,” Bear said. “It speaks well not only for the Beta Alpha chapter but the good people of Rolla.”
