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Muscular Dystrophy Association & Magic Wheelchair Launch Instagram Sweepstakes for a Custom Halloween Dream Costume
MDA partners including International Association of Fire Fighters, National Association of Letter Carriers, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, and more, to participate in the reveal of the winners dream costume in 2024.
NEW YORK, NY – October 23, 2023 – The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), in collaboration with Magic Wheelchair, launched this year's Instagram competition for a custom Halloween dream costume giveaway beginning today, October 23 through October 26. The competition launched today with this @MDAorg Instagram post.
The MDA community is encouraged to enter to win a custom-designed costume for a person living with a neuromuscular disease who is registered with MDA. The winner will be announced on Halloween, October 31. The reveal of the custom costume will be held in 2024.
To enter the following steps may be taken:
- Go to Instagram and follow @MDAorg and @MagicWheelchair.
- Comment with a ♥ on all of MDA's Instagram posts from 10/23 – 10/26 for a chance to win a Magic Wheelchair costume for 2024.
- Bonus entry: Tag a friend in the comments.
- We will announce the winner on Tuesday, October 31 on Halloween!
MDA and Magic Wheelchair are also sharing a download to coloring book pages on Instagram @MDAorg inspired by real-life @MagicWheelchair costumes and encouraging followers to share their costume ideas which may be featured throughout the campaign when they tag @MDAorg and @MagicWheelchair.
MDA and Magic Wheelchair are nonprofit organizations jointly committed to empowering people living with neuromuscular diseases and disabilities and have collaborated for many years. Historic collaborations have included costumes at MDA Muscle Walk events, and then the costume reveal in 2020 for alumni MDA National Ambassador Ethan LyBrand. In 2020, they launched a collaborative Instagram competition. Previous costume reveals have included a digger truck for Mason, a Ghostbusters costume for Carter, a fire truck for Jose, a Rapunzel costume for Anna.
“It’s challenging to live with neuromuscular disease, and we embrace any opportunity we have to spark joy for MDA families. We are working hard to find treatments for neuromuscular diseases and as importantly, we are committed to creating opportunities for inclusion that help children and adults living with these diseases find community, celebrate what makes them unique warriors, and give them more meaningful moments with the people they love,” said Morgan Roth, Chief Marketing Officer, MDA.
"Having grown up in the MDA family myself, it’s a treat to now learn more about the families we work with and to create their dream costumes just for them. Working alongside our incredibly talented builders, and even now in our new Magic Wheelchair Makerspace in Oregon, there is so much love in every detail of each Magic Wheelchair costume. We incorporate the unique personality of each recipient, and the things they love most. We want them to know their voice is being heard, and to keep sharing it with the world. We are building costumes, but we are also building future advocates!" said Christine Getman, Executive Director, Magic Wheelchair.
"Our mission is all about inclusion and self-expression, so the Halloween season is the perfect time to get creative and unapologetically be yourself with your clothes, or costumes, and even your wheelchair," said Scottie Foertmeyer, Director of Community Outreach, Magic Wheelchair. "Partnering with the Muscular Dystrophy Association is an opportunity to bring a powerful experience to the community through this sweepstakes, and for the recipient living with a disability who may not yet know how powerful their voice can be. Whether it's spooky and scary, something whimsical or their favorite fandom, it's all about giving kids a voice while creating fun! Our collaboration with the MDA community allows us to engage families across the country to find joy through creativity and inclusion," he continued.
Read about the reveal of last year’s winner, Anna, in MDA’s Quest blog here. “I love the Tangled movie and the series on Disney Plus,” Anna said. “I wanted a tower just like the one that Rapunzel lived in. Rapunzel is awesome because she has long magic hair that can heal and save people.” Anna’s mother Kathleen said, “She likes the idea of thanking the people that make MDA Summer Camp possible for her and her friends. As for my husband and I, we are happy to do all that we can to help spread MDA’s message because the research that the association helps to advance and the positive experiences, like Summer Camp and Magic Wheelchair, really do make a difference in our daughter’s life and we are thankful.”
MDA is grateful for the support of this collaboration with Magic Wheelchair, from leading longtime partners including the International Association of Fire Fighters, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), and more.
About Magic Wheelchair
Magic Wheelchair is a nonprofit organization that builds epic costumes for kids and young adults in wheelchairs – at no cost to families. Our mission is to bring communities together to promote inclusion and self-expression for people with disabilities by transforming their wheelchairs into magic. To date, Magic Wheelchair has served nearly 300 families by supporting builders, makers, and students nationwide to create unforgettable moments and epic inclusion. Learn more or get involved, at magicwheelchair.org.
About Muscular Dystrophy Association
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is the #1 voluntary health organization in the United States for people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. For over 70 years, MDA has led the way in accelerating research, advancing care, and advocating for the support of our families. MDA's mission is to empower the people we serve to live longer, more independent lives. To learn more visit mda.org and follow MDA on Instagram, Facebook, X, Threads, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
