June 3, 2015 – Westminster, MD

The Barbour Group, Medifast, Vardavas & Concannon, and Gaines and Company, Inc. Team Up to Raise Money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)

7th annual Party for a Cure event was a major success by raising $125,808 for MDA

The Barbour Group, a surety bond and commercial insurance agency known for its passionate approach to delivering bonding solutions to construction firms and government contractors, Gaines and Company, a top ranked underground utility contractor operating in Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, Vardavas & Concannon, a full service accounting firm, and Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED), a leading manufacturer of easy-to-use, clinically proven, portion-controlled weight-loss programs, co-hosted the 7th annual Party for a Cure event Wednesday, June 3, 2015 held at the L’Hirondelle Country Club of Ruxton.

Event attendees enjoyed live entertainment by Jeff Harding, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a heartfelt presentation of gratitude by MDA Goodwill Ambassador Hannah Fallon. Dr. Charlotte Sumner of Johns Hopkins Hospital provided the keynote and remarked on clinical research efforts which aim to eradicate neuromuscular disease. The gala was emceed by Jennifer Gilbert, evening news anchor for Fox 45 News.

Through the event and the silent auction, the 7th annual Party for the Cure, raised the bar this year, donating over $125,808 to MDA. MDA is a nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research as well as providing comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

All of the proceeds will be used to provide hundreds of local children with the opportunity to attend MDA summer camp, which is a specially designed place created for young people who have limited mobility or use wheelchairs to participate in a wide range of activities, receive medical care at the MDA’s clinic at Johns Hopkins, have repairs made to their durable medical equipment and most importantly allow MDA to continue to fund vital research to find a cure.

At this year’s event, Hannah Fallon, MDA’s Goodwill Ambassador, expressed it best when she said that at camp she forgets the barriers of her disability and feels in-place with other children that look like her. The burden with growing up with a physical disability and being noticeably different disappears at camp. “Thanks again for giving these kids an opportunity to create lasting memories and experiences that change the course of their lives. I know it has changed mine,” said Karen Barbour.

About MDA

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the world’s leading nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases. It does so by funding worldwide research; by providing comprehensive health care services and support to MDA families nationwide; and by rallying communities to fight back through advocacy, fundraising and local engagement. Visit mda.org.