Donate to Shamrocks & Shenanigans

My name is Carla Balboa-Christie, I am 36, and married to an amazing man, Max Christie. I was diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) in 2010, although I started having symptoms in my late teens. I use a cane or wheelchair due to DM1. My biggest fear is that I passed this to my children, as my mother passed it to me, like her father passed it to her.

Because DM1 is such a rare disease, research is severely underfunded. Max and I want to do all we can to make a difference, so we founded Shamrocks & Shenanigans in 2014, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping fight muscular dystrophy.

We host the MD Shenanigans Festival each March to raise money for the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), donating all proceeds to them 50/50. I'm proud to say it is quickly becoming a St. Paddy's Day tradition with our many Shenanifans in the Crossroads area. The 6th MD Shenanigans Festival will be held on St. Patrick's Day, March 16th at The Dodge City Saloon in Victoria, TX.

In the past five years, we raised more than $15,000 for MDA and MDF. Through them, our donations have aided in research, care, and support, as well as medical equipment for people who have muscular dystrophy.

MD Shenanigans Festival is jam-packed with live music, a video DJ, vendors, raffles, hot rods, and a live-art auction. We also have our famous Pin-Up Contest, Manliest Beard Contest, Chugging Contest, and most importantly, fun for a great cause.

The success of our organization is dependent upon the monetary and product support of businesses, and of course, all of our Shenaniafans. We couldn't do what we do without you. We are currently asking for donations to help pay for shirts, door prizes and the general cost of running the event. We donate all left over sponsor money and all funds raised at the event to the MDF and MDA equally.

We hope to see you there! And if you can't join us, you may still help our cause by clicking 'Donate' on this page and by visiting and 'liking' our Facebook page. Thank you for your support—it means the world to me, Max and the entire DM community.

Thank you,

Carla Balboa-Christie