Spinal Muscular Atrophy · India

No family should face SMA alone.

We are a community of people living with SMA, their families, doctors, and researchers — working since 2014 for early diagnosis, better care, and affordable treatment for every Indian with SMA.

A smiling young girl in a power wheelchair
1 in 50 people carries a faulty SMA gene, usually without knowing

How can we help you?

I’m a parent or living with SMA

Understand the diagnosis, find SMA-aware doctors, and connect with families who have been there.

I want to help

Fund treatment and equipment, volunteer your skills, or bring your company on board as a CSR partner.

I’m a doctor or researcher

Clinical summaries, Indian standards of care, and our national SMA conference, SMArtCon.

Understanding SMA

What is Spinal Muscular Atrophy?

SMA is a genetic condition that affects the nerve cells in the spinal cord which control movement. Muscles used for crawling, walking, sitting up, swallowing, and breathing become progressively weaker.

It is the most common genetic cause of death in infants — but it does not affect intelligence, and with the right care and treatment, children, and adults with SMA can lead full lives.

Learn about SMA

Genetic. Caused by a missing or faulty SMN1 gene, inherited from both parents.

Four main types. From Type 1 in young babies to Type 4 in adults.

Treatable. Approved therapies now exist, and treatment has been available in India since 2021.

Early diagnosis matters. A simple blood test confirms around 95% of cases.

What we do

From diagnosis to daily life, we walk alongside families

Founded by parents of children with SMA, we combine practical support for families with advocacy for policies that make treatment reachable.

Advocacy

Working with the government, regulators, and industry for affordable access to SMA treatments.

Awareness

Conferences, webinars, and SMA Awareness Month every August, so SMA is diagnosed early.

Our journey

From 10 families to a national community

2,000+Families supported
10Cities with SMA clinics
3National SMA conferences
4Editions of Run for SMA
2014Founded by parents
2021First SMA therapy launched in India
Portrait of Karan Shah
Stories of SMA warriors

“People do not realise that SMA does not affect the intelligence of any person.”

Karan Shah grew up with Type 3 SMA in Mumbai, a city that is not wheelchair-friendly. Read how he found his voice.

Working together with

  • Cure SMA
  • SMA Europe
  • SMA Asia
  • Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS)
  • IIT Kanpur
  • Philips
  • Medura Healthcare
  • Ponsist
  • Journomed

Our partners