Members of Cheyenne Local 279 and members of the Federated Fire Fighters of Wyoming along with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, will host a special event to celebrate their 60-year partnership and kick off the fire fighters' annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign to benefit children and adults affected by muscle disease throughout Wyoming.

The kickoff event will be held at the state capital and will feature remarks from Governor Matt Mead, Mayor Richard Kaysen, Local 279 President John Pertsch, local families affected by Muscular Dystrophy and others.

“Throughout 2014 MDA and fire fighters are celebrating 60 years of proud partnership, joined together in the fight against life-threatening muscle disease, said executive director Sabrina Allen. “Fire fighters do more for MDA and the families we serve than any other group. In Wyoming, they spend countless hours every year participating in Fill the Boot drives and at MDA Summer Camp. We're grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who have made a profound impact on our families’ health, wellbeing and quality of life.”

More than 40 different fire departments will fan out across Wyoming cities with boots in hand for this year’s drive over the weekend.

Funds raised through the 2014 Wyoming Fill the Boot event will help support MDA's programs of worldwide research, specialized health care services, and day-to-day support – which includes sending children affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases to a weeklong, barrier-free MDA summer camp at Rocky Mountain Village in Empire, CO.

As the Muscular Dystrophy Association's largest national sponsor, firefighters and the International Association of Firefithers fuel MDA's mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases.

The IAFF is a major contributing sponsor of the MDA Show of Strength Telethon, and IAFF contributions from charity baseball games and other local events help support MDA's efforts to raise awareness and provide professional and public education about neuromuscular diseases.

IAFF support for MDA began in 1954 when the organization committed by proclamation to support MDA until a cure is found, and the organization's unwavering commitment to MDA has remained strong to this day. The IAFF raised $100,000 for MDA in 1955, and $1 million in 1970, and fire fighters continue to raise the bar in their fundraising efforts. In 2013, more than 100,000 fire fighters participated in Fill the Boot events across the country and raised $26.2 million. To date the IAFF has raised $530 million for MDA.
About the IAFF

The International Association of Fire Fighters represents more than 300,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,200 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state in the United States and in Canada.
About MDA

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to saving and improving the lives of anyone with muscle disease, including muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research to find treatments and cures; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement. Visit mda.org and follow us at facebook.com/MDAnational.

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