On Sept. 13, 2026, TD Garden—the venue for the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, situated above North Station—glowed with green lighting to mark International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day.
Jim Dolan and Ethan Zolit stand alongside Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson and Ward 1 City Councillor Matt McLaughlin at Somerville City Hall on Sept. 10, 2026, following the City Council’s approval of McLaughlin’s resolution designating Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day.
Official state declaration follows efforts by Somerville’s Jim Dolan and a series of local observances throughout Massachusetts
I discovered that a single email can open doors. My advice to others is straightforward: fire off that email. The worst response is no, but yes happens just as frequently.”— Jim Dolan, MDF Support Group Facilitator
SOMERVILLE, MA, UNITED STATES, September 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has officially recognized September 15, 2026, as Myotonic Dystrophy Day, highlighting the effects of this rare, inherited condition and promoting enhanced awareness, scientific investigation, and aid for those affected by myotonic dystrophy (DM) and their families.
Governor Maura T. Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll, and Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin affixed their signatures to the proclamation. It acknowledges the severity of DM and backs the objectives of International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day, which encompass education, research, biopharmaceutical progress, and policies benefiting individuals with DM and their caregivers.
This statewide designation stems from the efforts of Jim Dolan, a Somerville resident living with DM1 who leads the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation’s (MDF) Affected Men’s Support Group. Dolan received his DM1 diagnosis in 2022 following nearly two decades of incorrect diagnoses. After finding MDF and the DM community, he set out to boost awareness throughout Massachusetts. He subsequently participated as a panelist in an MDF advocacy webinar, urging others to reach out to their own local and state representatives.
What started as Dolan’s outreach blossomed into multiple days of public recognition across Massachusetts. On Sept. 10, the Somerville City Council passed a resolution introduced by Ward 1 City Councillor Matt McLaughlin and endorsed by Mayor Jake Wilson. Both officials addressed a gathering at City Hall alongside DM community members. Recognition also spread westward to Amherst, where advocacy from resident Jane Mairs helped secure an Amherst Town Council proclamation sponsored by District 5 Councilor Ana Devlin-Gauthier and signed by Council President Mandi Jo Hanneke. Three days following the Somerville event, TD Garden, where the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins play, lit up in green. On Sept. 14, Dolan and fellow DM community members convened in the Massachusetts House Chamber with State Senator Patricia D. Jehlen and State Representative Mike Connolly, who sponsor a joint resolution before the Massachusetts General Court designating Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day. Boston City Hall Plaza is scheduled for green illumination on Sept. 15 as well.
“When I first learned about International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day, I figured Massachusetts already had something in place,” Dolan remarked. “I found out that a single email can be the key. What seemed challenging came together far more quickly than I anticipated. My message to others is simple: send the email. The worst they can hear is no, but yes is just as probable.”
Myotonic dystrophy is a progressive, multisystemic genetic disorder that can impact muscles, the heart, respiratory function, digestion, sleep, vision, cognitive abilities, and other bodily systems. Symptoms differ widely, even among relatives. Diagnosis frequently comes late, and no DM-specific therapies have yet received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Massachusetts hosts a range of biotechnology firms, hospitals, and academic medical centers engaged in DM research and treatment. These efforts sustain employment for scientists, clinicians, research personnel, and other professionals across the state while aiding the advancement of potential therapies.
“Jim’s determination brought the DM community together with local and state officials and generated meaningful visibility throughout Massachusetts,” said Tanya Stevenson, EdD, MPH, CEO of the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF). “These proclamations will boost recognition of DM while fostering connections with leaders who can enhance care, support research, and lay groundwork for future treatments.”
International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day takes place every year on September 15. Additional details can be found at myotonic.org/international-dm-day.
Those wishing to request recognition from their own state or local government can utilize MDF’s Proclamation Toolkit.
###
About the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation
The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) serves as the foremost global advocate for individuals affected by myotonic dystrophy. MDF fortifies the DM community via support, care, advocacy, and research that moves us nearer to treatments and a cure. Visit myotonic.org for more information.
Kleed Cumming
Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF)
+1 415-800-7777
email us here
