Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Memorable day for muscular dystrophy patients

— Photo: R.M. Rajarathinam

Support them: N. Siva, MP, addressing the 17th anniversary celebrations of Danny and Friends in Tiruchi on Saturday.

TIRUCHI: Muscular dystrophy patients, mostly children, had an opportunity to enjoy the entertainment programmes and receive gifts from the Danny and Friends (a charitable association for muscular dystrophy patients) at its 17th anniversary celebrations held at YWCA here on Saturday.

N. Siva, MP, who was the chief guest, stressed the need for helping the children with muscular dystrophy and appreciated the services rendered by the Danny and Friends.

N.J. Gnaniah, Founder, Danny and Friends, who presided over the function, explained in detail on the need to help muscular dystrophy patients. He pointed out that there was no cure for the disease. Muscular dystrophy is not contagious. Someone with the disease might start having muscle problems even as a baby or the symptoms might show up later.

Dr. Gnaniah said forms of muscular dystrophy could affect teens. He said that Danny and Friends was named after Danny, the son of Jawahar and Ranjini Gnaniah, the founders of Global Friends Ministries who had muscular dystrophy.

The organisation has served more than 100 patients since 1992, providing practical help, medical aid and spiritual encouragement, he said.

Nargis Nirmala Devi Asaithambi, General Director, Danny and Friends, Tiruchi, said that as many as 218 muscular dystrophy patients in Tamil Nadu had registered their names with Danny and Friends in the last 17 years of whom 82 patients passed away and six patients left Tamil Nadu.

She pointed out that financial assistance was being extended to the muscular dystrophy patients and the sum has been enhanced to Rs.500 by the State Government. Awareness programmes were being conducted in the educational institutions to help muscular dystrophy patients.

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