|
| Goal: | $500.00 |  |
| Raised: | $2,765.00 |
|
I would like to invite you to help me make a difference in the lives of children with A-T. You can support me in the biggest race of all - the race to cure A-T - by making a tax deductible donation, OR you can join Team Kemper, my first fundraising triathlon team at the 2010 Hy-Vee Triathlon.
Late in 2007 Val and I had the privilege of meeting the Veldink family. The Veldinks' lives have been changed by A-T because two of their daughters, Kate (age ten) and Olivia (age seven) both have ataxia-telangiectasis (A-T). A-T is a fatal genetic disease characterized by progressive weakening of the immune system, nervous system, and other bodily systems. Affected children typically develop difficulty walking, problems with balance, abnormal eye movements, slurred speech as well as chronic lung infections and increased risk of developing cancer, particularly leukemia and lymphoma. They are usually wheelchair bound by the age of ten. Though some diagnosed with A-T live into adulthood, their life expectancy is reduced tremendously.
We were so touched by hearing their story that I ran the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Half Marathon this past January with the Veldinks, their friends and family, and dozens of other A-T families who come every year to raise funds to find a cure for A-T. I had so much fun and felt proud and privileged to race for this special cause. Our lives will never be the same after meeting these amazing families who struggle with this rare disease every day.
Help us find a cure or life-improving therapies for A-T (ataxia-telangiectasia).
What is A-T?
Imagine a disease that combines the worst symptoms of muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, immune deficiencies, and cancer. Children with A-T are usually confined to wheelchairs by age 10 and often do not survive their teens. Because A-T is a multi-system disease, scientists believe that A-T research will help more prevalent diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, AIDS, and cancer.
|