* SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) is a neuromuscular disease passed on genetically to children by their parents.

* SMA Affects a child's muscular development. The earlier the symptoms are noticed, the more severe the type of SMA. Type 1 is the most severe, affecting children while still in the womb or shortly after birth.

* Type 1 children are usually not able to hold up their heads, roll over, crawl, sit up without support, or walk.

* All muscles are extremely weak, with the weakest muscles being the legs, upper arms and neck. Also affected are sucking, swallowing, digestion and breathing.

* Type I is often fatal, with the last known statistics showing an average lifespan of 8 months, 80% gone in less than a year and the majority of the rest gone by the age of 2 unless ventilation or "life support" is provided.
**HOWEVER**, these statistics are no longer a hard and fast rule, and the more time goes by, the better quality and quantity of life these children are having!

* SMA is the Top Genetic Killer of children under the age of 2!

* 1 in every 40 people carry this gene, but it takes 2 people with the gene to produce a baby with SMA... and then there is a 1 in 4 chance.

* 1 in every 6,000 children are born with SMA.

* THERE IS NO CURE, but there is hope. Spinal Muscular Atrophy research has come very far, to the point of finding a cure in mice. With your help, a treatment for SMA is within reach for Chase and other children with SMA. If you would like to donate to research, please visit Families of SMA (FSMA). All donations are tax deducible and go toward the treatment and cure of SMA. We appreciate your kind consideration.

For more specific information on all the types of SMA and what they mean, visit SMA Support Info page or FSMA Info page.

 

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SMA Organizations:

* SMA Foundation
* SMA Support
* Planet SMA
* Miracle For Madison & Friends
* Fight SMA
* Paytons Pals
* SMA Angels Charity
* The Benjamin Foundation
* Our SMA Angels
* SMA Australia
* Families of SMA
* The Muscular Dystrophy Association
* The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy