Kevin Brennan, Principal of BlueBird Strategies, has served as the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation’s advocacy consultant since 2015. Working with the community, he has helped MDF increase federal funding for myotonic dystrophy research by $8.1 million over the past 5 years through congressional designation of myotonic dystrophy as an eligible condition under the Department of Defense Peer Review Medical Research Program (PRMRP). In 2017, MDF successfully advocated for Congenital DM to be included in the Social Security Compassionate Allowance program which helps individuals more quickly qualify for disability benefits including health insurance coverage. Kevin has also organized MDF U.S. Senate research briefings and testimony before the U.S. House Appropriations committee on NIH funding.

In 2022, in response to MDF advocacy, Congress included a provision in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations bill establishing the Repeat Expansion Disease Initiative (REDI) at the NIH which will increase DM research opportunities and we helped pass the first ever U.S. Senate resolution recognizing September 15th as International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day. Prior to his work with MDF, Kevin held senior positions in Congress for members of the US House Appropriations and Energy & Commerce committees, led the Arthritis Foundation’s public policy and advocacy office, and worked in the global government affairs office at Amgen. His lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and three children.