BACKGROUND Since 1976, The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (DMRF), a 501(c)3 nonprofit, has been dedicated to serving all people with dystonia and their families. As many as 250,000 Americans are afflicted with this neurological movement disorder that causes excessive, involuntary muscle contractions and can affect any region of the body with varying degrees of disability and pain.  Although treatments exist, dystonia remains a chronic disorder for which there is not yet a cure. Dystonia affects adults and children and presents in many forms. The mission of the DMRF is to advance research for more effective treatments and ultimately a cure for dystonia, to promote awareness and education and to support the well-being of