Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation

Throughout the 2010 season, the Yale Women's field hockey team raised awareness and funds for the battle against myotonic dystrophy. Sophomore goalkeeper Ona McConnell, who is also a member of the MDF Board of Directors, was diagnosed with DM this past year. Yale's campaign, known as "Get a Grip", ran throughout the season and every goal scored helped to bring us closer to treatments and a cure for myotonic dystrophy.

The Bulldogs took pledges for a season-long "goal-a-thon" as part of the campaign to support the efforts of the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation. After a winning season with 52 goals, the campaign raised over $50,000, which is being directed to the MDF's research programs. Ona's story was recently highlighted in the 2010 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship Guide in an article by Brian Lester titled, "Getting a Grip - Yale's Ona McConnell gets support from her teammates in the search for a cure to myotonic dystrophy." To order copies of this guide, call (866) 313-4678.