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AUBURN, Mass. – The fifth annual “Walk n’ Roll” fundraiser for the Ataxia Foundation will be held at Lemansky Park in Auburn on Sunday.
The event, which was started by John Mauro, is a 3-mile run, walk, ride and roll on the park's track to raise funds to purchase a recumbent trike for a young person with debilitating symptoms of ataxia. Those with ataxia, a neurological disorder, have lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements.
“Most people don’t know what ataxia is and its effects, so this event is great for awareness,” said Mauro, an Auburn resident who has the disorder. “So many people are affected by ataxia. This community event is a great way for people to get together and learn about the disorder while having fun raising funds.”
Recumbent trikes cost $1,300 to $6,000, Mauro said. The trike allows someone with ataxia a freedom of movement and independence that they wouldn’t have otherwise.
This event has grown to include more than 200 anticipated participants this year. In addition to the 3-mile run/ walk/ roll, there will be food, music and auction items donated by local people.
This event is sponsored by the National Ataxia Foundation, which was established in 1957 to help ataxia families through research, education and patient services. The foundation relies solely on donations and fundraising.
All donated funds go directly to foundation. Although there is no effective treatment or cure, researchers have made major advances in recent years that improve ataxia symptoms for some patients because of donated funds to the foundation.
Event registration is free, and all registrants will receive a free T-shirt. Registration is 9 to 10 a.m. Sept. 16, with the event kicking off at 10 a.m.
Online donations and registration for the event can be completed at the National Ataxia Foundation website. For more information about the event, contact Mauro at 508-736-6084 or at johnmauro@verizon.net.
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