Credit Unions Join Others in Massachusetts to Raise Awareness of Dangerous Disease
Tuesday, May 6, 2025, is the third year of observance of Moyamoya Disease Awareness Day in Massachusetts, and Credit Unions Kids at Heart®, a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and its participating credit unions will again organize awareness-raising activities throughout the Commonwealth.
Research on Moyamoya disease, conducted at Boston Children's Hospital and steered by Dr. Edward Smith, a global leader in the study of Moyamoya and the most experienced surgeon for this condition, is one of the fundraising initiatives that the charitable organization supports. This year, the organization has rallied credit unions and their communities to help call attention to this dangerous condition with bridge and building lightings, fundraising challenges, workplace observances and in-branch displays, and social media posts. In fact, a proclamation denoting May 6 as Moyamoya Disease Awareness Day in Massachusetts by Governor Maura Healey has promoted similar proclamations and participation in local municipalities.
Moyamoya disease is a rare and progressive neurological disease in which the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain narrow, greatly reducing blood flow. "Moyamoya" means “puff of smoke,” which describes how the blood vessels look on an X-ray or other medical imaging. If left untreated, Moyamoya can lead to severe strokes that can cause long-term effects including cognitive and sensory impairments, communication disorders, visual disturbances, behavioral problems. It may even be fatal.
It is important to know the signs of Moyamoya because early diagnosis and intervention can radically affect a patient's prognosis. In young children, the disease may present as stroke symptoms, such as slurred speech, headaches, and seizures. In young or older adults, it may also cause bleeding in the brain. For both children and adults, surgery is the only way to reduce the risk of stroke, but, if treated surgically, patients have an excellent recovery rate and go on to lead normal, active lives.
To learn more about Moyamoya disease and research initiatives, please go to www.creditunionskidsatheart.org.
Corporate Sponsors: ALM First Financial Advisors, Corpay, DCU, EasCorp, GT Reilly & Company, Members Mortgage, Student Choice, The Kelliher Corbett Group at Morgan Stanley and Vertifi Software, LLC
Participating Credit Unions & Foundations: 600 Atlantic FCU, Albright CU, Arlington Municipal FCU, Beverly Municipal FCU, Boston Firefighters CU, BrightBridge CU, Cambridge Firefighters FCU, Central One Federal CU, Chelsea Employees FCU, Coastal1 CU, Common Trust FCU, Digital FCU, Direct FCU, Dutch Point CU, EasCorp, Energy CU, First Priority CU, Granite State CU, Hanscom FCU, Holyoke CU, Homefield CU, HTM CU, Jeanne D’Arc CU, Liberty Bay CU, Lynn Firemen’s FCU, Marblehead Municipal FCU, Massachusetts Family CU, Medford Municipal FCU, Members Plus CU, Methuen FCU, Metro CU, Middlesex-Essex Postal Employees FCU, Mills42 FCU, MIT FCU, NASA FCU, New Bedford CU, PCT FCU, Pebble Promise Foundation, Quincy CU, Service CU, Shrewsbury FCU, Somerset FCU, Somerville MA Firefighters FCU, St. Anne’s CU, St. Anthony of Padua FCU, St. Jean’s CU Charitable Foundation, St. Mary’s CU, Stewart’s FCU, Stoneham Municipal Employees FCU, Taunton FCU, Tewksbury FCU, and Webster First FCU.
