MDA 2010 Press Release
BEND’S ROY DEAN OF THE ROY DEAN ACADEMY NAMED MDA NATIONAL LOCK-UP ALL STAR
Roy Dean Will Be Honored on National Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Labor Day Weekend
Bend, OR, September, 2010 – Roy Dean of Bend, OR has been named one of 25 MDA National Lock-Up All Stars by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Dean raised $10,380 in “bail” to benefit MDA during the past 12 months – an incredible feat since more than 100,000 people participate in the MDA Lock-Up program each year.
Dean will be honored during the live national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, airing Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-6. Dean earned the All Star designation in recognition of the time he spent “behind bars for good,” at MDA’s Bend Lock-Up, April 2010.
“Seeing so many of Roy Dean’s friends responding enthusiastically to his request for “bail” to help MDA speed research seeking treatments and cures for muscle diseases, underscores the tremendous value of friend-to-friend ‘asks’ for things that matter,” said Bend’s MDA Fundraising Coordinator Jenelle Ehlers. “Talk about being an inspiration! We couldn’t be more pleased with the community support that Roy has galvanized to help Bend-area families affected by muscle-wasting diseases.”
MDA’s signature fundraising program, Lock-Ups are fun and unique events in which local business and community leaders agree to be “arrested” for having big hearts. Funds raised benefit local individuals and families living with muscular dystrophy and related progressive muscle diseases. The Association makes efficient use of the charitable contributions it receives year round. In fact, 83.4 percent of the $175.9 million in public funds MDA received in 2009 ($146.7 million) was invested into program services including patient and community services, research, professional and public health education.
Roy Dean is the owner of Roy Dean Academy, a progressive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy located in Bend. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a highly effective martial art for men, women, and children. It relies on leverage, timing, and proper technique to overcome larger and stronger opponents. The Roy Dean Academy teaches in a safe, friendly, and controlled environment which fosters fun, camaraderie, and respect. Along with the Academy, Dean has a series of training DVDs that he gifted to anyone who donated $100 or more to his bail.
“Congratulations to all the Lock-Up All Stars,” MDA President & CEO Gerald C. Weinberg said. “The generous contributions they secure in MDA’s behalf make a vital difference for the families we serve. We are indebted to Roy Dean for being one of the nation’s brightest beacons for the public support that enables MDA to advance its lifesaving mission.”
“Its exciting to be able to help the local children and adults living with muscle disease right here in Central Oregon,” said Dean.
MDA, the first charity to be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association (“for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity”), maintains some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics nationwide for adults and children with neuromuscular diseases.
Medical services in the mid-Oregon area are provided through Peace Health Riverbend in Eugene. In addition, area children with neuromuscular diseases enjoy a free week of MDA summer camp at Camp Living Waters in Springfield. To learn more about MDA’s Lock-Up program, call (800) 572-1717 or visit www.mda.org.
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides unparalleled health care services; advocates for the families it serves; and invests significant resources educating the medical and scientific communities, as well as the general public about neuromuscular diseases affecting more than 1 million Americans.