Audra and Alan Butler donate blankets for Families of SMA Type 1 Care Packages

Andy Butler was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type I in March 2009, when he was nine weeks old. After several hospitalizations and a tremendous fight, Andy lost his battle with the disease on June 4, 2009, earning his angel’s wings just 4 days shy of his five month birthday. To continue Andy’s fight against SMA, his parents, Audra and Alan Butler, created Andy’s Army, http://www.andysarmy.com/ or www.causes.com/andysarmy on Facebook. Working closely with Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, mostly through the Greater Florida Chapter, their goal is to raise awareness of the disease and money for its cure.

In May 2010, Andy’s Army was nominated for the Sweatshirt Blanket “Spread Your Warmth” campaign. After a tight competition during the first week of June, during which the Butler family commemorated Andy’s first angel day, Andy’s Army was selected as one of two contest winners. Andy’s Army received 16 personalized child-sized blankets, which they donated to FSMA for inclusion on the Type I Care Packages, in Andy’s memory.