March of Dimes

Was founded in 1938 by US Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt as the "National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis". It's main purpose was to defeat polio, which affected thousands of Americans during the first half of the 20th century. In 1955, when a polio vaccine, which was developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, was announced to be "safe"; the foundation began funding Salk and Albert Sabin's research. Because treatment for polio was found; rather than go out of business, the foundation turned its attention to another US priority. The foundation began collecting donations for research and education to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.

I enjoyed the walkathons when I was a kid, but other than that I honestly have no idea whether this organization has really helped victims of muscular distrophy. Do we have a cure yet? I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.