I am pleased to introduce this volume on Myoblast Transfer Therapy on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association and all of its Advisory Committees. The international conference which led to this volume brought together leading basic scientists and clinical investigators for the purpose of coordinating the development of this new field in the fight against muscular dystrophy. The Muscular Dystrophy Association is the nation's most rapidly growing voluntary health agency in terms of its programs of patient care, research, and professional and public education. Success is attributable to its National Chairman, Jerry Lewis, to its effective corporate membership, and to the many physicians and scientists who give their time freely to advise on policies, to review grant applications, and to participate in meetings such as this. I should like to acknowledge a large number of other individuals to whom we are indebted: the broad segment of the American public which continually and generously supports our spectrum of services. The Muscular Dystrophy Association, next year, should raise in excess of $115,000,000. These contributions are derived from more than 10 million American families. These families are not only pledging their money but expressing their hopes that we will find answers to the tragic problem of neuromuscular disease. We are confident that the fruits of this meeting will move the frontier of research forward toward that goal.
