As part of World Day for Awareness, and Awareness of Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (DMD / BMD) day, which takes place on the 7th of September, the municipality of Ribeira Brava will illuminate the Municipality building, formerly the Hererias manor house, red.
The challenge launched by the Associação Portuguesa de Neuromusculares, was promptly accepted by the Municipality of Ribeira Brava, who join the global movement of lighting national monuments in a way to draw attention to the existence of this rare neuromuscular disease which affects 1 in 3,500 male children.
Although the disease also affects some women, there are a significant number of carriers of the mutation which can be passed on to children. Hence, this year the initiative is alluding to the ‘Duchenne and Women’ campaign.
According to the World Duchenne Organisation (WDO), the color red symbolises the union of all international organisations, and aims to unite patients in Portugal with those residing in the rest of the world.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
