Thursday, February 18, 2010

DMRF eNews - February 2010

DMRF eNews

February 2010 - to ensure delivery, please add
[mailto:enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org]
enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org to your address book.

The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF) is pleased to announce the
formal launch of two new programs, Dystance4Dystonia and Dogs4Dystonia.
Both programs came as a result of some of our most dedicated members as
they looked at ways to do more to support the dystonia community and the
work of the Foundation.

Dystance4Dystonia

Dystance4Dystonia is one of the exciting new programs of the Dystonia
Medical Research Foundation. Those who take part in the Dystance4Dystonia
program will participate in marathons, 10K, 8K and 5K runs and walks in
several communities across the country in 2010, helping to raise much
needed funds. Support garnered for Dystance4 Dystonia program will benefit
the work of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF).

Dystance4Dystonia came from long-time member Cindy DuVal and the Puget
Sound Dystonia Support Group. Entering into it's 10th year, the walk has
made a tremendous impact on the dystonia community in the Washington area.
Our many thanks to Cindy and members of the support group for all of their
work over the years!

Calling all runners, walkers and volunteers to join Dystance4Dystonia

We are looking for runners (all levels), walkers and people that want to
make a difference in our community to join us as we partake in a number of
fun races across the country, helping to raise much needed funds in the
process. Think you can’t make a full marathon? Don’t worry, we have
full, ½ marathons, 8K, and 5K and we need your help to reach our goal.

All participants will receive an official 2010 event t-shirt,
refreshments and a huge THANK YOU from the Dystonia Medical Research
Foundation and its network. See our list of races below.

If you or someone you know is interested in going the Dystance4Dystonia,
please contact Lissa at
[mailto:lsalvatierra@dystonia-foundation.org?subject=More%20information%20on%20Dystance4Dystonia]
lsalvatierra@dystonia-foundation.org. Please make sure you contact Lissa
if you would like to register to participate in support of the DMRF for any of the races.

2010 Races

Are you ready to run now? We are looking for people to participate in
our March and April races and are waiting to hear from you! Run for those
who can't!

03/14/10 Dallas 1/2 Marathon

03/21/10 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8k

04/24/10 Nashville Marathon and 1/2

05/01/10 Wisconsin Marathon

05/02/10 Flying Pig Marathon

05/02/10 Eugene Marathon

05/08/10 5/3 River Bank Run

06/06/10 San Diego Marathon and 1/2

06/26/10 Seattle Marathon and 1/2

08/01/10 Chicago 1/2 Marathon

09/05/10 Virginia 1/2 Marathon

09/19/10 Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon

10/03/10 San Jose 1/2 Marathon

10/10/10 Bank of America Chicago Marathon

10/24/10 Los Angeles 1/2 Marathon

11/14/10 San Antonio Marathon and 1/2

12/05/10 Las Vegas Marathon

Questions: Contact Lissa, the Manager of Special Events, at
[mailto:lsalvatierra@dystonia-foundation.org?subject=More%20information%20on%20Dystance4Dystonia]
lsalvatierra@dystonia-foundation.org or 312.447.5095 to find out how you
can go the Dystance4Dystonia!

Follow Dystance4Dystonia on Facebook

[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dystance4Dystonia/296350820945]
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dystance4Dystonia/296350820945

and on Twitter
[http://twitter.com/dyst4dystonia] http://twitter.com/dyst4dystonia

Dogs4Dystonia

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole."

~ Roger Caras

Dogs are important to many. They are faithful companions and friends,
always there without question. For many with dystonia, dogs offer the
guidance and support needed to help their owners get through the day.

Dogs4Dystonia came from Janice and Len Nachbar and Joanna Manusov,
long-time volunteers in the Central NJ area. The DMRF is grateful to
Janice, Len and Joanna for creating this wonderful program.

Dogs4Dystonia Dog Walks are a great way to bring together family, friends
and the community together for a fun time in support of a good cause.
Whether you are a dog owner, a dog lover, or someone who just wants to do
something for dystonia, the Dogs4Dystonia Dog Walks may just be up your
alley.

Do you have the cutest dog?
Is your dog the best tail wagger out there?
How does your dog rate?

Stay tuned for more information on how to enter your dog into the
Dogs4Dystonia Virtual Dog Walk. Get your cameras ready and start capturing
those attention grabbing shots of your four legged friend!

Would you be interested in bringing a Dogs4Dystonia Dog Walk to your
community? Email Lissa at
[mailto:lsalvatierra@dystonia-foundation.org?subject=Dogs%20for%20Dystonia%20Dog%20Walk]
lsalvatierra@dystonia-foundation.org today!

Follow Dogs4Dystonia on Facebook

[http://www.facebook.com/pages/dogs4dystonia/310473013264]
http://www.facebook.com/pages/dogs4dystonia/310473013264

and on Twitter

[http://twitter.com/dogs4dystonia] http://twitter.com/dogs4dystonia

Other Upcoming Events

Should you prefer to organize your own event in support of the DMRF, we
are here to help. Call us today at 312.447.5095 to get started!

2/12/10 [http://www.rsvpbook.com/event.php?449115] MN Sleigh Ride, Dinner
and Concert
4/23/10 Margaritaville (MA)

4/24/10 Flea Market (NJ)

Tell us how we are doing. We would love to hear your thoughts about the
newsletter. Email us today at

[mailto:enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org?subject=Feedback%20about%20eNews]
enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org

Would you like to access the newsletter 24/7?

[http://dmrfenews.blogspot.com/] dmrfenews.blogspot.com

Would you like to receive updates by text message?

Text DYSTONIA to 90999.

Are you an iPhone

or iTouch user?

If so, check out the DMRF's new app to stay up-to-date on the latest news
from the Foundation and the dystonia community.

To get the app, visit the iTunes App store and search for "DMRF app".

Join us on one of our social networks:

[http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/pages/Dystonia-Medical-Research-Foundation/46820882711]

[http://www.myspace.com/thedmrf]

[http://thedmrf.ning.com/]

[http://twitter.com/dmrf]

Contact Information

One East Wacker Drive, Suite 2810
Chicago, Illinois 60601
800.377.3978

[mailto:enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org?subject=Questions,%20comments%20or%20concerns]
enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/] www.dystonia-foundation.org
© 2009 DMRF

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

DMRF eNews - January 2010

DMRF eNews

January 2010 - to ensure delivery, please add
[mailto:enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org]
enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org to your address book.

Happy New Year
From everyone at the DMRF, a Happy New Year. We are looking forward to
continuing the momentum that the events of 2009 generated into 2010. There
is much to be grateful for as we look back at the
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/2009Review] milestones from last year.

· The wonderful
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/research_in_2009/148.php]
research projects supported by the DMRF in 2009. We are beginning to
receive progress reports from the work funded by the Foundation last year
and it is exciting to see results. We are always pleased with our
fellowships – funding young investigators is so important.

· Working in partnership with the Foundation for Dystonia
Research, the DMRF launched a $1.8 million dollar research contract to
identify and validate novel molecular targets for dystonia drug discovery
and development. This project is possible because of the many years of
research the DMRF has supported – including the DMRF funded discovery of
the DYT1 gene in 1997. The first phase of this enormous scientific project
was completed in 2009.

· Additionally, the DMRF is contracting for the development of a
new animal model for dystonia. This is also important for drug
discovery/development.

· DMRF continues to hold discussions with pharma to engage them
in dystonia. In 2009 a significant meetings were held and we are
optimistic about the interest expressed in dystonia – developing into
additional, new treatments for dystonia.

· DMRF was pleased to join with Tyler’s Hope in launching a
patient registry for DYT1 dystonia – another important element in getting
new treatments on the market.

· Our scientific meetings continue to be important. Last year,
the DMRF hosted a meeting for young investigators, a meeting on myclonus
dystonia and a number of other meetings to help support the development of
the NIH/ORD Dystonia Coalition program.

· The [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc4CZAD5rw8] Children &
Family Symposium was a major success – with many new families learning
that they are not alone. This combined with our ongoing educational
efforts and the fabulous support/education efforts of our support groups
has provided accurate information to thousands of people.

· The
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/dystonia_coalition_obtains_ord_grant/362.php]
Dystonia Coalition – the clinical research program approved by NIH is a
major step forward for the community. The DMRF is proud to serve as an
administrative center for this important program – providing
administrative support for meetings, payments to the clinical sites, pilot
projects and this past year, to have co-sponsored the Career Development
Award.

· Last – but certainly not least – we are grateful to join
with our advocacy partners the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research
Foundation, DySTonia, Inc., the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association
and the National Spasmodic Torticollis Assocition in celebrating
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/dac_paves_way_for_new_research_funding/367.php]
the addition of dystonia to the list of eligible diseases for funding
through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program. This was a
wonderful way to end the year.

2010 looks to be a year of continued progress. The research grant
applications recently submitted look good – these will be reviewed in
February when our Medical & Scientific Advisory Council will be meeting.
We will be launching new scientific exploration through our contract
program and look forward to sponsoring and participating in key scientific
meetings throughout the year.

We also look forward to continuing our community education programs,
webinars, a western regional meeting and another successful
[http://www.rsvpbook.com/event.php?470398] Advocacy Day this spring.
Achieving our goal of a cure for all forms of dystonia can’t be done
alone. We appreciate the partnerships we have globally and thank all of
you for your support of the DMRF. We look forward to sharing with you the
progress of the coming year and to hearing from you about how we can help
you until that wonderful day when our work is finished.

Upcoming Events

1/30/10 [http://www.rsvpbook.com/event.php?406573] Dystonia Patient
Educational Symposium
2/12/10 [http://www.rsvpbook.com/event.php?449115] MN Sleigh Ride,
Dinner and Concert

Tell us how we are doing. We would love to hear your thoughts about the
newsletter. Email us today at

[mailto:enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org?subject=Feedback%20about%20eNews]
enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org

Would you like to access the newsletter 24/7?

[http://dmrfenews.blogspot.com/] dmrfenews.blogspot.com

Would you like to receive updates by text message?

Text DYSTONIA to 90999.

Are you an iPhone

or iTouch user?

If so, check out the DMRF's new app to stay up-to-date on the latest news
from the Foundation and the dystonia community.

To get the app, visit the iTunes App store and search for "DMRF app".

Join us on one of our social networks:

[http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/pages/Dystonia-Medical-Research-Foundation/46820882711]

[http://www.myspace.com/thedmrf]

[http://thedmrf.ning.com/]

[http://twitter.com/dmrf]

Contact Information

One East Wacker Drive, Suite 2810
Chicago, Illinois 60601
800.377.3978

[mailto:enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org?subject=Questions,%20comments%20or%20concerns]
enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/] www.dystonia-foundation.org
© 2009 DMRF

DMRF eNews - November 2009

DMRF eNews

November 2009 - to ensure delivery, please add
[mailto:enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org]
enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org to your address book.

NIH Announces Expansion of Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network
The DMRF is pleased to be joining other members of the recently
announced, National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded Dystonia Coalition
this week for its first annual meeting. The meeting will review the three
clinical projects supported by this cooperative agreement and provide an
opportunity for the dystonia foundations to present on what they are
looking for from this important effort. DMRF is honored to work with
Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation (BSDPF), the Benign
Essential Blepharospam Foundation (BEBRF), DySTonia, Inc. (DI), the
National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association (NSDA), the National Spasmodic
Torticollis Association (NSTA), Tyler ’s Hope and WE MOVE along with
Drs. Buz Jinnah, Joel Perlmutter, Cindy Comella and Christy Ludlow,
representatives from NINDS and many, many other leading clinical
researchers in fulfilling the promise of this program. Stay tuned for
additional information about this meeting. Visit the
[http://dmrfinsights.blogspot.com/] DMRF Insights Blog next week to learn
more.

DMRF Funded Research in 2009
Check out the DMRF funded research projects for 2009. We are proud of
the work being carried out by these investigators and look forward to
projects presented for next year.

For more information about this research, please
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/research_in_2009/148.php] click
here.

Awareness Update

Billy McLaughlin, DMRF Ambassador, continues to raise awareness about
dystonia. He is slated to perform at the Space in Evanston on Saturday,
November 7th. [http://www.evanstonspace.com/] Click here for more
information.

Community Day 2009 - November 14th

Are you looking for ways to save money this holiday season? Consider
purchasing a $5
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/filebin/Morepdfs/Community%20Day%2009%20Flyer.pdf]
coupon book that will provide timely, cost saving coupons at Bon Ton Stores
Nationwide. All money raised from the sale of the coupon books will
support the DMRF.

Email Emma at [mailto:epinto@dystonia-foundation.org]
epinto@dystonia-foundation.org to purchase your coupon book today!

Advocacy

The DMRF would like to invite you to attend Dystonia Advocacy Day 2010 on
Tuesday, May 4^th and Wednesday, May 5^th in Washington , DC . Dystonia
Advocacy Day is a popular annual event that brings patients, family
members, and friends from across the country together on Capitol Hill to
advocate on behalf of the dystonia community. Participants have the
opportunity to attend a networking dinner, receive state-of-the-science
updates on dystonia research, engage in comprehensive advocacy training
sessions, and meet with their Members of Congress.

If you would like additional information on Dystonia Advocacy Day 2010 or
if you would like to preliminarily register for the event and receive all
relevant updates and information, please visit the following section of the
DMRF website:
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/advocacy_day_2009/476.php]
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/advocacy_day_2009/476.php.

Upcoming Events

11/11/09 Omaha Awareness Event

11/14/09
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/view_event/225.php?id=48]
Community Day 2009

12/23/09
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/view_event/225.php?id=73] Help
Find A Cure for Dystonia

Happy Thanksgiving

Order the child in your life a DMRF tshirt today!

Show your support and raise awareness. Order your DMRF tshirt today for
$20.

Sizes available:

Children's S, M, L

(available in grey & white)

To order your shirt,

[https://dystonia.securesites.net/dystonia/pages/merchandise/277.php]
click here

Tell us how we are doing. We would love to hear your thoughts about the
newsletter. Email us today at

[mailto:enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org?subject=Feedback%20about%20eNews]
enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org

Would you like to access the newsletter 24/7?

[http://dmrfenews.blogspot.com/] dmrfenews.blogspot.com

Would you like to receive updates by text message?

Text DYSTONIA to 90999.

Are you an iPhone

or iTouch user?

If so, check out the DMRF's new app to stay up-to-date on the latest news
from the Foundation and the dystonia community.

To get the app, visit the iTunes App store and search for "DMRF app".

Join us on one of our social networks:

[http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/pages/Dystonia-Medical-Research-Foundation/46820882711]

[http://www.myspace.com/thedmrf]

[http://thedmrf.ning.com/]

[http://twitter.com/dmrf]

Contact Information

One East Wacker Drive, Suite 2810
Chicago, Illinois 60601
800.377.3978

[mailto:enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org?subject=Questions,%20comments%20or%20concerns]
enewsletter@dystonia-foundation.org
[http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/] www.dystonia-foundation.org
© 2009 DMRF