I MAY NOT SPEAK BUT I HAVE MUCH TO SAY!!
National Angelman Syndrome Foundation Announces:
2007 Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk-A-Thon
One Step Closer In Sixteen Cities onMay 19
The 2007 Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk-A-Thon will be held on Saturday, May 19 in 16 metropolitan cities. Families and friends around the country will be walking in the following metropolitan areas:
Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX;
Denver, CO; Grand Rapids, MI; Houston, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Las Vegas, NV; Nashville, TN; Orange County, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Sacramento, CA; St. Louis, MO; Washington D.C.
Angelman Syndrome is a neurological disorder that is largely misdiagnosed as either autism or cerebral palsy. People with Angelman Syndrome are developmentally delayed, have difficulty with balance and walking, sometimes laugh inappropriately and experience seizures. Most people with Angelman Syndrome cannot speak.
They will require care for their entire lives.
The prevalence of AS is estimated as 1:15,000 in the population. Angelman Syndrome occurs equally in males, females and all ethnic groups. A large portion of the Angelman population, especially adults and minorities, remain undiagnosed. Angelman Syndrome was first identified in 1965 by British pediatrician, Dr. Harry Angelman. Research in Angelman Syndrome will lead to further breakthroughs in the treatment and understanding of seizures, autism and many other neurological and genetic disorders.
Organizers of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk-A-Thon hope that these annual walk-a-thons for Angelman Syndrome will raise awareness and encourage further diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome. The money raised will be used for education, support and medical research. Each year brings us
One Step Closer to a better life for people with Angelman Syndrome.
The Rocky Mountain chapter of Angelman Syndrome Foundation will be participating for the third year. In 2006, we had 275 participants walk for 37 individuals from 4 states (Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, and Wyoming). Our region raised $20,000 for the National Angelman Foundation. Registration is ongoing now, but it appears that we will surpass the number of participants (we already have several new walkers this year). Local individuals with Angelman Syndrome that will participate again include:
Valerie (age 10, Englewood), P.J. (age 20, Lakewood),
Mallorie (age 9, Centennial),
Jared (age 24, Conifer),
Brianna (age 15, Centennnial),
Tyler (age 6, Henderson),
Liliana (age 5, Arvada),
Elliot (age 15, Denver),
Josh (age 21, Thornton),
Megan (age 18, Thornton),
Noel (age 9, Golden),
Colin (age 3, Denver),
Lulu (age 5, Wheat Ridge) and
Karly (age 14, Arvada).
In conjunction with the walkathon in 2006, Governor
Owens proclaimed the third Saturday in May as Angelman Awareness Day. We have requested that Governor
Ritter do the same in 2007. We are pending his response.
Walk with us in Denver, CO onMay 19. The 2007 Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk-A-Thon, Denver, CO site begins at 9:45 am. The walk takes place at the Adams County Regional Park (Fairgrounds) in Brighton; consisting of a 1.3 mile route around the lake. A catered BBQ is available after the walk.
To register for the 2007 Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk-A-Thon, contact the Angelman Syndrome Foundation at 1-800-432-6435 or register on-line at
www.firstgiving/angelmanwalk.com.
For more information about Angelman Syndrome, visit the Angelman Syndrome Foundation website at
www.angelman.org.