Be part of the change!

The MJD Walk for a Cure is a virtual step challenge to raise awareness for  Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD) and people with disabilities, as well as raise funds for research into MJD.

The challenge is to do 10,000 steps each day for the month of February. To make it more interesting, we will be using the Big Team Challenge app. In teams of 4, you will be able to virtually race your friends and other teams to the finish line. 

This challenge is for you if:

• Your New Year's resolution is to be more active

• You want to have some fun with your friends or colleagues or,

• You just want to be a part of something meaningful!

MJD is a rare, inherited neurological disorder. It is a progressive disease meaning symptoms get worse over time. One of MJD's main symptoms is ataxia, a general term meaning lack of muscle control or coordination. MJD is characterised by a slow, progressive clumsiness in the arms and legs, a staggering, lurching gait that can be mistaken for drunkenness, difficulty with speech and swallowing, impaired eye movements and lower limb spasticity. Sufferers have trouble with mobility and coordination resulting in many falls, before progressing to being wheelchair bound, unable to do the simple activities of daily living and needing full time care.

Life expectancy ranges from the mid-30s, for those with the most severe forms of early onset MJD, to a nearly normal life expectancy, for those with mild, late onset forms. The cause of death, for those who die early from the disease, is often aspiration pneumonia.

There is no treatment or cure for MJD!

YOU CAN HELP CHANGE THIS!!

HOW TO REGISTER

ONE - SIGN UP

Download the app Big Team Challenge and type “mjdwalkforacure” on the first page, then enter your details.

Or

TWO - CREATING TEAM AND INVITING OTHERS

Once you’ve signed in for the first time, you will be prompted to either join an existing team or create your own.

If you have created a team you will have to option to invite people to join.

Send out the invites to your team members (make sure they register using the email address you send the invite to).

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A TEAM?

If you can’t find 3 other people who want to participate, check the Big Team Challenge page and see if there is a team open for anyone to join. If not then create a team and select “allow anyone to join” so others can join your team.

MORE HELP

You can find lots of help about Big Team Challenge by reading their help articles, Click Here!

Or send a message to 'MJD Walk for a Cure' on Facebook or Instagram. 

RAISING FUNDS

Don’t forget to tell your friends and family about the challenge and ask them to sponsor you. Any amount donated makes a difference. 100% of donations go towards research projects. All donations are tax deductible.