Our Goal:

Mark Hauck, Kara Hauck, Michael Hauck, and Archie Troxell are raising money to promote the awareness and research of Phenylketonuria, also known as PKU.  We will be cycling across the entire state of Pennsylvania over a 4 day period from May 16, 2010 through May 19, 2010.  We will start our 320 mile exploration from Albion, PA and end in Honesdale, PA.  Exact start and finsih locations will be decided in the coming weeks.

Fundraising will continue until July 16, 2010. 

We chose to cycle for PKU Awareness and Research, because my niece Chaislynn was diagnosed with PKU shortly after her birth.

Mission Statement:

To raise more than $10,000. All donations will be sent to National PKU Alliance  for the awareness and research of Phenylketonuria.  A portion of the donations raised will be for expenses of the event.

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: 570-713-7841

 

Online Sponsors to date: From old page.   Display Name Date Amount  Comment Janice LaBella 2/3/2010 $10.00 Good Luck!  Brian & Angie Snyder 1/14/2010 $10.00 Good Luck!  The Piggy Bank 1/10/2010 $1.35   Dick and Ginny Michaux 12/16/2009 $250.00 Following wind and slow dogs. Cheers!!  Andrea Mullen 11/20/2009 $10.00 Good Luck Mark, Thank you for doing this!!!  Sal Muzzamuto - Owner of Mifflinburg OIP 9/1/2009 $10.00   Mark L. Hauck - World's Best Uncle 8/1/2009 $10.00 here is to the start of PKU Twenty Ten