The Israeli Machado Joseph Association

The Israeli Machado Joseph Association (MJDIL) was founded in 2009 by families of MJD patients and carriers. It aims to raise public awareness of the disease, provide support to patients, carriers and families, and advance clinical research with a view to developing a cure for MJD. MJDIL is a non-profit organization operated entirely by volunteers. Most patients diagnosed with MJD in Israel thus far are of Yemenite descent. MJD is a rare disease, which until recent years has not received due attention from the medical establishment. As a result, MJD sufferers were often misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, MS, Huntington’s disease and other neurological disorders. Over the past few years, the Israeli Machado Joseph Association has • inspired scientific research projects in several Israeli institutions; • established an MJD clinic and center under the auspices of the Meir Medical Center; • held regular support meetings for patients and their families. MJDIL collaborates and shares information with leading local and international researchers and specialists, with a number of Israeli associations for neurological disorders and for patients’ rights, and with MJD organizations around the world.