Motion City Soundtrack have produced a limited Christmas shirt which is designed to benefit Callum Robbins, son of J. and Janet Robbins. As we reported last week, Callum is approaching his first birthday and was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

MCS had this to say:

This is a brutal disease for which there is no cure. SMA Type 1 infant never attains the ability to sit independently and less than 20% of these children survive 4 years, and then only with indwelling tracheostomy tubes, occupational therapy and life in a wheelchair. Virtually all die from respiratory complications.

J., Janet and Cal live with this reality every day and the path before them is extremely long and arduous, not to mention expensive and consuming. Allopathic ("conventional") doctors, while energetically engaged in research into this condition, can offer no cure for Callum. There may be some hope -- even if only for a better quality of life -- in alternative routes and therapies. These, of course, are not covered by health insurance. It's an incredible obstacle for a household where the only wage-earner is a self-employed indie recording engineer with single-payer insurance.

Callum's father J. Robbins, a musician and producer, has been a huge influence on Motion City Soundtrack over the years. He has produced, engineered, and performed on some of their favorite records. In addition, he has fronted some of their favorite bands (Jawbox, Burning Airlines, and Channels - in which he shares vocal duties with Janet) and written some of their favorite songs.

You can see or purchase a shirt or poster right here.