Racing to find a cure

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a cause near and dear to Amanda Meacham’s heart. Her brother was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 6. Since high school, Meacham has been dedicated to working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to raise awareness and help to find a cure.

“MDA has been a huge part of my life,” Meacham said.

This month, Meacham, a financial service officer at Greystone Avadian Credit Union, will help to organize Derby for Dystrophy. The event will raise funds for many kinds of muscular dystrophy as guests watch the annual Kentucky Derby at Dixie Fish Company on U.S. 280.

The event, previously known as Derby for Duchenne, raised funds for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. After the board that originally organized the event fell through, Meacham decided to take over. As president of the League of Southeastern Credit Union’s Birmingham Young Professionals Committee, she knew that the event would make a great addition to the committee’s yearly events.

“I’ve gone to and worked at several events [MDA] has put on. The Derby was always my favorite,” Meacham said. “When I was afforded the opportunity to start organizing fundraisers from the LSCU, I knew that I had to take this one to the committee, and that we could make it really special.”

Meacham and the committee chose to change the event to include more forms of muscular dystrophy. Although she is most familiar with Duchenne, she wanted the event to be more inclusive.

“MDA fights 43 different neuromuscular diseases, and we would prefer for the money that we’re raising to help with all of these rather than just one,” she said.

Derby for Dystrophy will be held at Dixie Fish Company on May 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. The derby will be screened on several TVs on the patio. Live music, horseshoes, a hat parade, a best-dressed prize and more information about MDA will be available. Guests are encouraged to dress in traditional Kentucky Derby garb. Gift cards will be given away for the winner of the hat parade and for best dressed. 

“The bigger the hat, the better, and the more seer sucker, the better,” Meacham said. 

Tickets are $40 per person and include two mint juleps and appetizers. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/mda-derby-for-dystrophy-presented-by-birmingham-area-credit-union-yp-group-tickets-16298590523.