Mary Chapman, features writer —

Mary graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in journalism. She began her career at United Press International, then spent a decade reporting for the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (now Bloomberg Industry Group). Mary has written extensively for The New York Times, and her work has appeared in publications such as Time, Newsweek, Fortune, and the Chicago Tribune. She’s won a Society of Professional Journalists award for outstanding reporting.

Articles by Mary Chapman

Tufts researcher wins MDA grant to study SMA treatment access

The Tufts Medical Center, a teaching hospital of the Tufts University School of Medicine, has been awarded a Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) grant to investigate patient access to treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other diseases. The project, led by James Chambers, PhD, will evaluate access to…

BraunAbility Gifts SMA Family With a Wheelchair Van

BraunAbility has partnered with the nonprofit organization Laughing at My Nightmare (LAMN) to donate a wheelchair-accessible vehicle to a 6-year-old girl with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Fynlee Armstrong, a “sassy and spunky little girl” from Clyde, Texas, requires a wheelchair to move around. Over the last few years,…

Ambry Seeks to Expand Access to SMA Prenatal Screening

Diagnostic testing company Ambry Genetics has launched a reproductive health program to increase access to carrier and prenatal screening for genetic disorders such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The Comprehensive Assessment Risk and Education (CARE) program seeks to enhance the availability of carrier screening and noninvasive…

UK Collaboration Gets £1.25M Grant to Develop ‘Smart Suit’

Development of an exoskeleton suit to help those living with progressive neuromuscular conditions that affect their upper-body movement will advance due to a £1.25 million (about $1.5 million) grant from the People’s Postcard Lottery in the United Kingdom. The “SMART Suit,” which targets people with disabilities such as…

British Columbia Will Pick Up Cost of Evrysdi for SMA Patients There

The provincial government of British Columbia will cover the cost of Evrysdi (risdiplam), the oral spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) therapy approved by Health Canada in April for the at-home treatment of eligible patients age 2 months and older. Evrysdi’s annual costs are reported to be CA$93,456 (about $73,310) for…