My Goal:(Defeated)

My name is Mark Hauck, and I am raising money to promote the awareness and research of Phenylketonuria, also known as PKU.  I will be walking across the entire state of Massachusetts over a four day period from Thursday, May 21, 2009 through Sunday, May 24, 2009.  My walk will begin in Great Barrington at Belcher's Square and end at Children's Hospital in Boston.  This is approximately 130 miles across the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

During my walk, I will hand out brochures about PKU and accepting donations.  Fundraising will continue until June 23, 2009. 

I have chosen to walk for PKU Awareness and Research, because my niece Chaislynn was diagnosed with PKU shortly after her birth.

Mission Statement:

To raise more than $2500 by the end of my walk. All donations be sent to New England Connection for PKU and Allied Disorders, Inc (NECPAD) for the awareness and research of Phenylketonuria.

 

Description of Cause:

Phenylketonuria is an inborn error of metabolism.  It is a autosomal recessive genetic disorder that is categorized by a deficiency in the enzyme known as phenylalanine hydroxylase.  The lack of this enzyme causes the amino acid pheynlalanine to build up in the body and brain.  High levels of phenylalanine can cause severe brain damage, seizures, learning disabilities, and emotional problems.

People with PKU receive two recessive genes from their parents, one from the father and one from the mother.  Parents usually are not even aware that they carry this recessive gene until a baby is diagnosed with PKU.  According to the March of Dimes, 1 baby in 14,000 is diagnosed with PKU each year.

Phenylketonuria is treated with a diet low in protein.  People with PKU must follow this diet for their entire lives to remain healthy, both phsyically and mentally.  This diet consists of mostly fruits, vegetables, specially ordered food, and a protein formula supplement.  People with PKU cannot eat foods typically known as protein sources such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, milk and other dairy products, but they also have to stay away from foods not considered to be high in protein such as cereals, breads, and pastas.

It is important to note that an individual cannot cause or prevent from being born with PKU.  We have no control over the genes that we receive from our parents, and it is always important to remember to be proud of who you are, including your genes!

 

Contact Information:

Mark L. Hauck

email: Mark.Hauck@Scotts.com

phone # before walk: 781-727-8291

phone # during walk: 570-713-7841