The Spina Bifida Association
Spina bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. It occurs when the spine of the baby fails to close during the first months of pregnancy. The effects of spina bifida are different for each person, and there is no known cure.
The mission of the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) is to promote the prevention of spina bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected.
The Spina Bifida Association is also proud to celebrate Folic Acid Awareness Week (January 5–11) and Birth Defects Prevention Month. Every January, SBA increases awareness about the benefits of folic acid in reducing spina bifida births. Most important is their reminder of not only the importance of daily folic acid intake to reduce the risk of a spina bifida–affected pregnancy but also of the need for an even greater dosage for families already affected by spina bifida.
Taking Folic Acid
- Women who could become pregnant should take 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid through a vitamin.
- Women who have a child or had a pregnancy affected by spina bifida or have spina bifida themselves should take 4000 mcg (4.0 mg) of folic acid for one to three months before pregnancy. This amount of folic acid is higher than what you can get in the store, so you will need to see a doctor for a prescription.
Annual Roast for Spina Bifida
It is a Washington tradition, indeed an institution, for members of the press to put our political leaders on the hot seat.
Every year since 1989, the Spina Bifida Association has been changing the natural order of the way things work in Washington as we turn the tables on illustrious representatives of the 4th Estate with Washington's most prominent representatives of politics and the media grilling a member of the press for an outstanding cause.
The result is a gala evening sizzling with humor and entertainment where the elite of Washington—politicians, acclaimed representatives of the media, and many, many more—mingle. The SBA Roast is a rare night when differences are set aside, in fact, when differences are cause for celebration. Each year, the most influential decision-makers on Capitol Hill, leaders of Fortune 500 companies, and respected members of the media join us for this gala event.
In November 2008, Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report was roasted at the annual event, which also featured a raffle of a hybrid Lexus SUV.
This cause was brought to our attention by a dear client who has spina bifida, and McElroy Translation was pleased to purchase tickets in support of this organization (no, we didn’t win!).
For more information, please visit www.spinabifidaassociation.org.