Borchers works to combat SMA
Real Salt Lake defender creates awareness to fight disease
During his playing days with the Colorado Rapids, Borchers spent countless hours helping raise money to help treat his godson, diagnosed with Type II SMA. Now with Real Salt Lake, the defender's tireless efforts didn't end there -- in 2008 he decided to tap into the Salt Lake City area to help spread awareness by organizing an "SMA Awareness Night." As part of his efforts, Borchers partnered with the University of Utah's Department of Neurology and donated dozens of tickets to SMA patients and their family members so that they could enjoy an evening of soccer.
"The Salt Lake community is a special one." said Borchers. "People in Salt Lake are different from other communities in the way how families come together to support and share their experiences together, especially when it comes to life threatening diseases like SMA."
After spending two years overseas playing for Odd Grenland in the Norwegian Tippeligaen, Borchers returned to Major League Soccer in 2008 to help lead RSL to their first playoff appearance in team history.
Although Borchers achieved great success during the 2008 season, where he was named RSL's defensive player of the year and helped anchor a revamped backline that broke the club's single-season record with 39 goals allowed, the Pueblo, Colo. resident is most proud of his efforts off the field. Borchers was also named RSL Humanitarian of the Year. He encouraged some of his teammates to visit SMA and Muscular Dystrophy patients at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City.
"It's a very tough disease to deal with because Medicaid does not cover a lot of the costs needed to treat the disease," said Borchers. "Millions of families struggle with making medical bill payments. I'm going to do my best to help raise funds for these needing families, and look forward to continuing my efforts during the upcoming 2009 season."
SMA is the leading genetic cause of death in infants and toddlers. One in every 40 Americans are carriers, or approximately 7 million people.
People interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the University of Utah Department of Neurology can contact Dennis Jolley, Director of Neurosciences Marketing & Public Affairs, at (801) 585-7777. Any interest in making a tax-deductible donation is appreciated, and allows for the advancement of scientific research and medical education.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY
WHO IS AFFECTED?
• SMA is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders.
• One in every 6,000 babies is born with SMA.
• SMA can strike anyone of any age, race or gender.
• One in every 40 people carries the gene that causes SMA. The child of two carriers has a 1-in-4 chance of developing SMA.
• 7.5 million Americans are carriers.
THE TYPES OF SMA
SMA patients are classified into four types based on milestones achieved at onset of SMA. Type I and II are the most prevalent.
• Type I, or Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease, is the most severe form of SMA. Type I SMA strikes infants between birth and 6 months old. Children affected with Type I cannot sit without support.
• Type II affects infants between seven and 18 months old. Type II patients may be able to sit unaided or even stand with support. They are at increased risk for complications from respiratory infections.
• Type III, also known as Kugelberg-Welander Disease, is the least deadly form of childhood-onset SMA. It strikes children as early as the age of 18 months, but can surface as late as adolescence. Type III patients are able to walk, but weakness is prevalent. Most patients eventually need to use a wheelchair.
• Type IV is the adult form of the disease. Symptoms tend to begin after age 35.
SMA does not affect sensation and intellectual activity in patients. It commonly is observed that patients with SMA are unusually bright and sociable.
For more information please visit www.fsma.org/
