ST LOUIS, MO, JANUARY 22, 2018 — SOPHIA MARTINO, an outgoing, vivacious 18-year-old from St. Louis, MO has been selected as State Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
As the new State Ambassador, Sophia will make public appearances throughout the state, representing kids and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related life-threatening diseases that severely weaken muscle strength and mobility in Missouri.
In Sophia’s new role, she will be essential in motivating the public to support MDA’s mission by donating funds and raising awareness to help provide families with life-saving resources and support that will open new possibilities – so that individuals just like her can live longer and grow stronger.
She was diagnosed with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) at the age of 1. SMA is one of the muscle diseases covered by MDA’s research and care programs. SMA is a genetic disorder that involves the loss of muscle-controlling nerve cells, called motor neurons, in the spinal cord. In SMA, the muscles fail to receive the necessary signals from the nerves.
Sophia is a senior at Oakville Sr. High and her favorite subjects are Psychology and English. She is involved in Choir and Chorale and is a Girl Scout. Sophia attends the St Louis MDA Care Center and is a recent MDA Summer Camp graduate. She has participated in many, many different MDA events such as our Telethon and our Muscle Walk. She has visited many sponsors and even hosted a few fundraising events for the MDA! Sophia surrounds herself with a wonderful family, great friends and supporters who encourage her to live her best life. She likes to Live Unlimited_ this means living up to her best potential and not letting anything get in her way!
The MDA State Ambassador program helps put a face on MDA’s mission by calling upon individuals affected by muscle-debilitating diseases to share their personal stories and inspiring support of MDA. Former ambassadors have grown up to fulfill life goals and achieve distinction, earning advanced degrees and making their marks as successful business professionals. Many continue in volunteer roles for MDA, serving on various committees on public awareness and appearing at events to tell MDA’s story of progress.
About MDA
MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life. We use our collective strength to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger by finding research breakthroughs across diseases; caring for individuals from day one; and empowering families with services and support in hometowns across America.
Learn how you can fund cures, find care and champion the cause at mda.org.
