Greetings!

On Wednesday 21st March, Brian Weidemann and I attended the MDA Boot Camp event. It is with pleasure that we introduce to you Abby Loch. She will be joining us as our 2nd MDA ambassador to the Airport Fire Depratment. She is also this year’s MDA State Ambassador!

Abby is 11 years old and lives in Apple Valley with her mom (Melissa), dad (Mike) and three sisters. Her father works as the Chief Pilot for Best Jets out of hanger 8 and her mother is a Lead Teacher at Prestige Preschool Academy in Apple Valley. Abby is very excited to come and meet you all and Melissa has offered to come out and cook chili for us!

Abby has manifesting Duchenne MD. Though the disease has not affected her muscles yet, it has affected her brain development. Fortunately, it has not affected her smile either, which is huge. When I met her, she said to me, “I hope you raise enough money to cure me.” If you needed a reason to volunteer for Fill The Boot this fall, I think you now have one… and those dates are:

• Wednesday 19th September (C-Shift)
• Thursday 20th September (B-Shift)
• Friday 21st September (C-Shift) 

Additionally, please mark your calendars for an end-of-the-school-year party for Abby and some of her friends. Abby and her mother are very excited about this!

Other important MDA dates:

• MDA Muscle Walk - Saturday 5th May
• Firefighter Day(s) at MDA Camp - Tuesday 12th June (C-Shift) and Tuesday 19th June (A-Shift).

Fraternally,

John Hengen