The 2nd Annual Dash for Prader-Willi

Thanks to everyone who showed up to support "The Dash" on May 18th! 

Luckily the rain waited to fall and everyone had a fun time walking, running, or just playing!  Congratulations also to Tom Leahy, Sr., who won the Adidas raffle.  I guess he will run the 5K next year!  We look forward to a bigger and even more succesful event next year! 

If you would like to make a donation, you can still donate via this website or email thedashforpws@yahoo.com for the address to mail a check (payable to PWSA-USA).

When:  May 18, 2008, 9:00 AM

What:  5k fun run and 1-mile walk

Where:  Norristown Farm Park, 2500 Upper Farm Road,  Norristown, PA - Picnic Pavilions (right next to High Arch Bridge) 

Parking:   approximately 40 spots in 2 small lots along Upper Farm Road off Germantown Pike; overflow parking on Whitehall Road at Norristown School District Administration Building and Whitehall Elementary - this location will require walking across the street and through some of the park to get to the picnic pavilion

 
Why:  To raise awareness of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS)

          To fund PWSA (USA)'s After-Hour Medical Crisis Hotline

          Last year, we raised over $11,000 for Prader-Willi research!

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare, non-inherited disorder of chromosome 15.  As infants, babies with PWS present with low muscle tone.  This muscle tone causes difficulty with or an inability to feed, difficulty breathing, and difficulty moving.  Many babies start their lives with feeding tubes and supplemental oxygen and an extended stay in a NICU.  Thanks to research efforts, growth hormone is an approved treatment for people with PWS and has had a marked influence on the development and quality of life for infants, children, and adults with the syndrome.  As babies with PWS grow into toddlers and children, their symptoms change.  The two most notable symptoms are a slowing metabolism and an inability to feel full.  Basically, an individual with PWS may feel hungry all of the time but will have to be on a low-calorie diet to prevent obesity and other related health problems.

Throughout their lifespan, a person with PWS requires special medical care that most medical professionals are not aware exist.  Unfortunately, people with PWS have been known to pass away because they were not treated by someone familiar with PWS and the special medical considerations required.  In 2007, a generous family held a fundraiser which raised money for PWSA (USA) to start a 24-hour medical crisis hotline to prevent these tragedies from occurring. This service allows a medical professional not familiar with PWS to have free access to PWS experts and families and other caregivers to reach someone knowledgeable about PWS in an after-hour emergency.  Unfortunately, the funding for this invaluable service has expired.  We hope to raise the $25,000 necessary to fund the hotline for another year.  Please consider donating and/or joining us for the event in May.  If you cannot join us but would like to help, please donate using the secure format below. 

In order to help the event run smoothly, we prefer that you pre-register.  Contact thedashforpws@yahoo.com for a registration form or for more information.

To learn more about PWS, please visit:  www.pwsausa.org

Checks can be made out to PWSA-USA.

We'd like to thank the following sponsors who helped make the event a success last year:  Applebee's, FastSigns of Conshohocken, Genuard's, Wawa, Pizza Time Saloon, Towamencin Township (PA), Keller-Williams Realty, Jamie Callan (DJ), Towamencin Beverage.

We'd also like to thank the following sponsors who have already agreed to help with this year's event:  Tau Sigma Gamma Sorority of Ursinus College, FastSigns of Conshohocken, Applebee's (The Rose Group), Norristown Area School District, Montgomery County Park System (Norristown Farm Park), Target, Brett Love (for the awesome new logo!), Dick's Sporting Goods, Genuardi's, BJ's Wholesale Club, Adidas, Wegman's

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page and please check back for updates!

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!