CITGO Raises $14 Million to Support MDA's Research on Muscular Dystrophy and Neuromuscular Diseases

On March 4, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) learned that by the end of 2018, CITGO Petroleum Corporation had raised more than $14 million to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in researching treatments and technological innovations for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other neuromuscular diseases. Since initiating its partnership with the MDA in January 1986, CITGO, as the MDA’s largest corporate sponsor, along with its employees, local marketers, and retailer network, has contributed over $240 million.

It is understood that the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) was founded in Chicago, United States, in 1950. As a world-leading non-profit health organization, MDA is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and related neuromuscular diseases. Thanks to the generosity of special contributors, MDA provides comprehensive healthcare services and support to patients with neuromuscular diseases across the United States.

MDA’s MOVR (Muscular Observational Research) is the only data hub that aggregates clinical, genetic, and patient-reported data across multiple neuromuscular diseases to improve health outcomes and accelerate drug development. MDA supports a network of multidisciplinary clinics, providing care through more than 150 leading healthcare institutions across the United States. MOVR is enhancing the capabilities of researchers and healthcare providers to strengthen the care and management of patients with neuromuscular diseases and to develop new therapies.

The MDA Resource Center provides one-on-one professional guidance to the community and conducts educational meetings and activities for patient families and healthcare providers. Children and adolescents diagnosed with neuromuscular diseases covered by the MDA program are eligible to participate free of charge in MDA summer camps each year. Each camp is staffed by dedicated healthcare professionals and trained camp volunteers who address the medical and physical needs of every child. These camps help children learn to accept personal care from individuals other than their parents, spend time with peers who have similar conditions, and foster self-esteem and confidence.

“MDA Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer Adam Catumaccio said, ‘We are deeply grateful for CITGO’s strong support over the past 30-plus years, as well as its unwavering commitment to helping us find treatments for neuromuscular diseases.’”

Rick Esser, Executive Vice President of CITGO, stated, “For over 30 years, we have partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) because we share similar values and believe in the organization’s ability to find cures for these devastating diseases. We aim to be at the forefront when MDA discovers such treatments.”

CITGO, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a recognized leading brand in the refining industry. With approximately 3,400 employees and a total production capacity of about 749,000 barrels per day (bpd), CITGO operates as the sixth-largest refinery in the United States and stands as one of the most complex independent refineries currently in operation. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals, and other industrial products, while providing network support to approximately 5,000 locally operated dealers and branded retail outlets across 30 states and the District of Columbia.