Mama Bracelets and The Jennifer Trust Partner to Support SMA Research and Spread Awareness

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Aug. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular condition. It is progressive, degenerative, and is considered terminal.  In fact, SMA is the #1 genetic cause of death for children under the age of two years old.

There are no treatments.  There is no cure.

Statistically, 1 in every 6,000 - 10,000 live births worldwide results in SMA making it a rare disease.  Additionally, 1 in 40 people are carriers of the recessive gene responsible for SMA.  Prognosis varies depending on the type of SMA expressed and its severity.

In SMA the lower motor neurons, which originate in the spinal cord, deteriorate from the lack of the SMN protein required to keep the neurons alive.  The result is impairment between the spinal cord and muscles.  These muscles can no longer be stimulated which causes them to atrophy (wither) due to inactivity. 

SMA affects muscles used for crawling, walking, arm, hand, head and neck movement and swallowing.  Physical limitations are dependent on the severity of the disease and are progressive in nature.  The muscles used for breathing are also affected leading to breathing complications and in many cases, death.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has named SMA ‘the #1 disease of over 600 neurological disorders that is closest to a cure’.  People with SMA, their families and friends, alongside businesses/charitable organizations are more hopeful than ever before that there will be treatments available, if not a cure, for this devastating disease very soon.

In mid-August of 2013, Mama Bracelets and JTSMA forged a partnership that promises to raise much-needed funds to further the research program of work already underway for SMA.

Mama Bracelets (www.mamabracelets.com) is an online business started by Lindsay and Michael Casten. The Castens have 3 children.  Their youngest was diagnosed with SMA Type 2 in August of 2011.  One response Lindsay and Michael had was to utilize their business along with Lindsay’s talent for designing and making jewelry, to support the SMA Community.  By October 2011 Mama Bracelets launched their exclusive “Cure SMA” products.

Lindsay Casten, owner of Mama Bracelets says, “SMA is a heartbreaking disease. Watching your child struggle with the disease is more than anyone should have to endure. We just want to help them…any way we can." She further explains, “The cognitive abilities of people with SMA are never affected. People with SMA are bright and intelligent with personalities that often captivate people. Their strength in adversity is admirable.”

Since the launch of the product line, Mama Bracelets has donated $3,000 to research programs in the United States (as of August, 2013). 

“We are so thrilled to expand our reach into the UK,” says Michael Casten (Director, PR/Finance for Mama Bracelets). “It is a great opportunity to provide people with a high quality, long-lasting product that reminds us all of those who have fought and lost their lives to SMA as well as those still battling the disease.  Our products are ‘simply stylish’ and compliment any wardrobe. Being able to donate to JTSMA is rewarding in and of itself.”

‘The Jennifer Trust was founded in 1985 by Anita Macaulay following the death of her daughter Jennifer at the age of 7 months from Type 1 SMA.  Anita was told the condition was so rare there was no research being done and that there were possibly only a few other families with a child affected by the condition in the country.’ [Source: History of The Jennifer Trust].

In the 28 years since The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy has existed it has expanded to be a central resource for UK families diagnosed with SMA.  In the last 8 years, JTSMA has raised over £600,000 for a variety of research products. During the 2013/14 financial year JTSMA will be supporting four SMA projects. 

JTSMA has dedicated a page on their website offering Mama Bracelets’ exclusive “Cure SMA” products for sale. The products displayed are linked to pages on Mama Bracelets’ website, where one can place their order.  Every "Cure SMA" product purchased from this page will carry a generous donation to JTSMA from Mama Bracelets.  

Doug Henderson, General Manager for JTSMA, states, "We are very excited to work with Mama Bracelets providing good quality jewelry which also raises awareness of the condition.  May this partnership go from strength, to strength."

View the exclusive "Cure SMA" product line (on the JTSMA website) here: 
http://www.jtsma.org.uk/mama_bracelets.html

Visit the JTSMA Page (on the Mama Bracelets’ website) here:
http://www.mamabracelets.com/Cure-SMA-for-JTSMA-UK_c_47.html