WEST HOLLYWOOD—During the week of August 6, the city West Hollywood will join cities and organizations across the nation in the support and awareness of “Light It Up For Muscular Dystrophy.”

The front façade of West Hollywood City Hall will be illuminated by a glowing green light. City Hall is located at 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard. The goal of the program is to raise awareness and spread knowledge about muscular dystrophy (MD). Nadine Kirby, a mother from Florida, started “Light It Up” in 2014 hoping to raise awareness about the disease that affected her son and many others.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Muscular Dystrophy is a “group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. With muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle.”

There are various forms of muscular dystrophy. The main symptom of the most common variety starts in childhood and includes progressive muscle weakness. Other forms of the disease do not develop until adulthood, and begin in a variety of different muscle groups. While there is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy, medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.

Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month is an effort by those who have been impacted by the disease and their loved ones to educate the public about the symptoms of the disorder and the medical advances that have been reached.

For more details, contact the city of West Hollywood’s Community and Legislative Affairs Division at (323) 848-6460. To learn more about the disease or to volunteer, visit www.mda.org.