New MDA Illinois state goodwill ambassador named

[December 30, 2013]  CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois Muscular Dystrophy Association offices have announced Lizzie Chamberlain from Jacksonville as the new 2014 state goodwill ambassador. Lizzie is the daughter of Jeff and Lori Chamberlain and has been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy Type 3, one of 40 different muscle-related diseases covered by MDA.

As the state goodwill ambassador, Lizzie will make public appearances year-round throughout the community to encourage volunteers in the association's year-round educational and fundraising campaigns. Lizzie will also get to participate in various MDA special events in Illinois.

Lizzie is a fifth-grader who enjoys studying grammar and music. She loves to sing and performs with the Jacksonville Children's Choir. She also loves to act and is involved in the Jacksonville Theatre Guild, where she has the opportunity to combine both of her passions. She often participates in musicals put on by the theater company, including "The Velveteen Rabbit" and "Annie."

Lizzie and her family have been a part of the MDA family since 2012. They are community representatives for fundraising programs such as Shamrocks, Fill-The-Boot, Casey's Mobile Program and Lock-Ups. Their family and friends formed a Muscle Walk team in 2013, calling themselves Lizzie's Leapin' Lizards.

Lizzie has attended MDA summer camp for the past two years. She loves seeing all her friends she has made, singing karaoke, swimming, riding horses and much more. It is her favorite week of the year, and she looks forward to coming back every summer.

She is a funny, sweet, caring, bright young woman and is very excited about the opportunity to represent the state of Illinois. Her passion is to help people better understand and be more compassionate about others with disabilities.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy, and education. MDA clinics serving the central Illinois area are the OSF Neurology Group in Peoria, SIU School of Medicine in Springfield and Carle Clinic in Champaign. For more information, contact the Central Illinois MDA office at 217-351-1853.

[Text from file received from Muscular Dystrophy Association in Illinois]

MDA website: www.mda.org

MDA, Central Illinois Chapter on Facebook