Spina Bifida Assoc of North Texas 801 Ave H East Suite 101 Arlington, TX 76011 Phone: 972-238-8755 Fax: 214-703-1981 E-mail: information@spinabifidant.org Web site: SpinaBifidaNT.org

S B A N T P R O G R A M S A N D S E R V I C E S

Our mission is to promote the prevention of Spina Bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected.

We offer a wide range of programs and services to support our community.

Information and referral New and expectant parent counseling Summer Camp for children Weekend Camps for families Weekend Camp for adults Scholarships Medical Seminars A monthly e-newsletter Newsletter Outreach to Spanish-speaking families Social activities Emergency financial assistance Website, Facebook and Twitter Spina Bifida Awareness and Advocacy Support Groups Partnering with Disability Groups Much, much more!

For more information on our services, please contact us at 972-238-8755 or visit our website

at www.spinabifidant.org

Our goal is to raise awareness of Spina Bifida and to give children, families and adults the

tools that they need to be advocates for themselves, independent and

active individuals with Spina Bifida and to have a strong , supportive community.

Annual Walk-N-Roll Event Sponsorship General Donations Scholarship Fund In-Kind Donations Volunteer In Memoriam Gifts

In Honor of Gifts Camp Sponsorship Advocate SB Awareness Events Education Seminars Much more!

SPINA BIFIDA ASSOCIATION OF NORTH TEXAS

EST. 1973

Faceook.com/SBNorthTexas

@SpinaBifidaNT

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES There are many ways that you can help support the

Spina Bifida community and the mission of SBANT.

DONATIONS We appreciate and acknowledge any level of donation.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit charity, donations are tax

deductible. Payments may be made securely on our

website at SpinaBifidaNT.org or checks may be mailed

directly to our office. We appreciate your support!

VOLUNTEERS

We welcome both corporate and individual volunteering.

As an organization that relies on volunteers for most of

it’s programs and services, we need you! Visit our

website for opportunities and information.

972-238-8755 information@spinabifidant.org SpinaBifidaNT.org

W H A T I S S P I N A B I F I D A ? Spina Bifida is the most common permanently

disabling birth defect in the United States. Spina

Bifida means cleft spine, which is an incomplete

closure in the spinal column. An average of 8

babies are born every day with Spina Bifida or a

similar birth defect of the brain and spine. Spina

Bifida occurs when the spine of the baby fails to

close during the first month of pregnancy, often

before most women even know they are pregnant.

As the spinal column and brain are formed, an

opening, or lesion, on the spinal column is

created.

W H A T I S S P I N A B I F I D A , C A N I T B E P R E V E N T E D , A N D W H A T R E S O U R C E S A R E A V A I L A B L E ?

T H E I M P O R T A N C E O F F O L I C A C I D Research Studies have shown that taking 400

mcg of folic acid, before becoming pregnant and

during the first 3 months of pregnancy, can

reduce the risk of having a Spina Bifida affected

pregnancy by up to 70%. Since half of the

pregnancies in the United States are unplanned,

women who could become pregnant should take a

vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid every day.

Women who have a child with Spina Bifida, have

had an affected pregnancy, or have Spina Bifida

themselves should get a prescription for 4000

mcg (4.0 mg) of folic acid for 1 to 3 months

before they try to become pregnant.

W H A T R E S O U R C E S A R E A V A I L A B L E ? The medical advances and vast educational re-

sources available today enable people with Spina

Bifida to lead full, productive lives. Most have

normal intelligence and fulfilling careers and live

just as long as other people. Numerous resources

are available to people affected by Spina Bifida,

including the Spina Bifida Association of America,

SBANT and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for

Children in Dallas, which has one of the

largest Spina Bifida treatment clinics in the U.S.

Visit our website for details at spinabifidant.org.

S P I N A B I F I D A

A S S O C I A T I O N O F N O R T H T E X A S Founded in 1973, the Spina

Bifida Association of North

Texas (SBANT) began as a

small support group of

parents under the name SBA

Dallas. Over the years, the service area expanded to

encompass all of North Texas and beyond—from the

DFW area, to Central Texas, to the Panhandle and out

to El Paso! SBANT volunteers work year-round to

provide services outreach, education, referrals,

and programs as well as information on prevention

(see list on back). SBANT

also partners with other

non-profit disability groups

and companies to give our constituents a range of

accessible activities and programs.

J O I N O U R C O M M U N I T Y ! We would be delighted to have you join the SBANT mailing list in order to receive news, event infor-mation and educational insight into the Spina Bifida community. We do not share your information with any other organization or business entity. Contact us at information@spinabifidant.org or 972-238-8755.

C A N I T B E P R E V E N T E D ? Which parts of the body are impaired, and how

much, depends on the area of the spinal cord that

is affected. No one knows for sure what causes

Spina Bifida. Scientists believe that genetic and

environmental factors act together to cause the

condition. Currently 166,000 Americans live with

some form of Spina Bifida.