Cambridge Fire Department running annual Boot Drive for Muscular Dystrophy

Members of the Cambridge Professional Fire Fighters’ Association (CPFFA) will be out in full force on Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for the local ‘Boot Drive’ campaign in support of Muscular Dystrophy (MD).

Firefighters and volunteers will be at the Bishop Street entrance of Cambridge Centre mall (355 Hespeler Rd., in front of The Bay) and in front of the Fire Hall Museum (56 Dickson St.) collecting donations in traditional firefighting boots. The Cambridge Centre location will also feature fire truck displays and formal remarks at 11 a.m.

Support of the Cambridge community has made this fundraising event one of the most successful MD boot drive's across Ontario. Cambridge firefighters have been supporting MD Canada since 1969, raising over $555,000 to date. Each year the contributions made are used to help Canadian families purchase equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and help fund education, advocacy and research. The goal for CPFFA this year is to raise $20,000.

What is MD?

Muscular Dystrophy is a group of neuromuscular disorders that are characterized by progressive weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles that control body movement. As muscle tissue weakens and wastes away, it is replaced by fatty and connective tissue. In perspective, over time, persons with neuromuscular disorders may lose the ability to walk, speak, and ultimately breathe. For some individuals, the disorder is fatal and there is currently no cure.