SMA Awareness Month Candlelight Vigil

On Saturday, August 11th, the global SMA community joined together at sunset to light candles in memory of those who have passed away from SMA and to honor those living with SMA who are fighting every day.

August is officially recognized by the SMA community as SMA Awareness Month, an effort Cure SMA has been coordinating since 1996.  In addition to our usual work—hosting and attending events, telling our stories to neighbors and friends, sharing information about SMA, using social media to raise awareness, and more—many families and chapters plan special events or efforts around SMA Awareness Month.

SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) is disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants.