Mary Chapman, features writer —

Mary graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in journalism. She began her career at United Press International, then spent a decade reporting for the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (now Bloomberg Industry Group). Mary has written extensively for The New York Times, and her work has appeared in publications such as Time, Newsweek, Fortune, and the Chicago Tribune. She’s won a Society of Professional Journalists award for outstanding reporting.

Articles by Mary Chapman

MDA advocacy program awards $140K to 7 rare disease groups

With projects spanning gene therapy research, patient advocacy, and air travel safety, seven U.S. organizations will receive $140,000 in overall funding from the Muscular Dystrophy Associations (MDA) Advocacy Collaboration Grant Program. The program, which opened in 2022, seeks to support and enhance key public policy and advocacy initiatives…

Awards presented for Race to End Duchenne

Race to End Duchenne, the signature fundraising program from Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), has presented Team Michael James with the 2024 “Racing for Every Future Team” award, while Michael Napoli was this year’s “Make Every Day Count” award recipient. Race to End Duchenne supports PPMD’s mission to cure…

Top 10 muscular dystrophy stories of 2023

Throughout 2023, Muscular Dystrophy News Today worked diligently to cover new scientific research, treatment developments, and clinical studies for muscular dystrophy (MD). Here are the 10 most-read stories of that year. No. 10 – With EMBARK trial data, Sarepta seeks to expand Elevidys’ approval Elevidys (delandistrogene moxeparvovec-roki) is a…

Harley-Davidson dealers raise over $650K at 36th MDA Ride for Life

Continuing years of support for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the Eastern Pennsylvania Harley-Davidson Dealers Association (EHDDA) just raised nearly $658,000 at the 36th Annual MDA Ride for Life. Proceeds from the event, held in October this year, will help further the organization’s mission to empower those with…

Duchenne Patient Academy opens applications for advocacy training

After three years of virtual academies, applications are now open for Duchenne Patient Academy 2023, an in-person training event for patient advocates for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). The academy, presented by the World Duchenne Organization (WDO) and the Duchenne Data…

CureDuchenne to offer free new virtual resource for DMD caregivers

Covering topics such as mobility equipment and the role of physical therapy, a new, free, online CureDuchenne course seeks to provide guidance and support to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) caregivers. Specifically, the virtual CureDuchenne Caregiver Course seeks to help caregivers of those newly diagnosed with DMD —…

$25K grants will help nonprofits counter DMD healthcare disparities

Entrada Therapeutics has awarded $25,000 grants to three U.S. nonprofits to aid in their efforts to combat healthcare disparities in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) community. The goal of these nonprofits, as inaugural recipients of the biopharmaceutical company’s DREAMS — Diversity, Representation, Equity and Advocacy Matters — grant…

Boy receives first post-approval dose of Elevidys at Nationwide

A 5-year-old boy has received an  infusion of Elevidys, the recently approved gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where the treatment was first investigated. Gideon Griffiths of Bellefontaine, Ohio, who was diagnosed with DMD at birth, is among the first group of patients nationwide…

MDA Shamrocks fundraising campaign takes the field for 2023

Thousands of retailers across the U.S. are helping the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) kick off MDA Shamrocks, its annual fundraising campaign in support of those living with muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Money raised through the effort — said to be…