Friends of FSH Research recognizes local researchers

Posted by George Shaw on Jun 8, 2017

Press Release
Friends of FSH Research recognizes researchers at Fred Hutch, UW Medicine, and Seattle Children’s Hospital

Since 2004, new efforts have been made locally to infuse the Seattle research community with the funds needed to focus on research for a treatment and cure for FSH Muscular Dystrophy, the most common form of muscular dystrophy affecting over 1/2 million people. Since that time, local non-profit Friends of FSH Research has issued 28 grants to Seattle area researchers totaling $2,595,570. These efforts have resulted in breakthrough findings of the root cause of the disease and have placed Seattle as one of the top research hubs for FSHD research worldwide.

June 20th has been declared as World FSHD Day to help raise awareness and further research efforts for a treatment and a cure. In recognition of its leadership in this area, Friends of FSH Research has received proclamations from the City of Seattle and the State of Washington announcing June 20th as "FSH Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day."

"Awareness of the disease and the need for a treatment and a cure is key to both research efforts and proper diagnoses by the medical community," shared Terry Colella, Founder and President of Friends of FSH Research, adding, "We couldn’t have accomplished all that we have without these committed researchers and their teams."

Local researchers who have dedicated their time and energy to this effort will be awarded for their contributions at an Awards Reception to be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 1:00pm at the UW Medicine South Lake Union Campus, 850 Republican Street, C Building, Seattle. The event is open to the public, but RSVP’s are requested at bonnie@fshfriends.org. More information available at www.fshfriends.org.