The Walk to Fight Familial Ataxia is taking place on Saturday, September, 21st in Whitby, Ontario
WHITBY, ON, Sept. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Whitby, Ontario to host The Walk to Fight Familial Ataxia (FA) on September 21st, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heydenshore Park, 589 Water Street. Researchers from across Canada to attend, including over 200 participants from all over Ontario. Over the last four years, the Walk to Fight FA has expanded to three other cities across Canada: Montreal (Quebec), Richmond (BC) and Saskatoon (Saskatchewan).
The most frequent hereditary ataxia is Friedreich's Ataxia, with an estimated prevalence of 3-4 cases per 100,000 individuals. It is a rare but severe neurodegenerative disease characterized by spinocerebellar degeneration. This often fatal, hereditary degenerative neurological disease, primarily affects balance, coordination and speech. It can also lead to severe scoliosis, heart disease and diabetes. Once diagnosed, most patients find themselves confined to a wheelchair within 10 years. At the moment there is no treatment that can stop or cure FA. However some drugs intended to counteract the effects of this disease are presently on trial.
The goal of the Walk is to raise funds for research on FA and to raise public awareness to FA in Ontario.
To learn more about The Walk to Fight Friedreich's Ataxia you can also visit http://www.thewalktofightfa.com or http://www.lacaf.org to lean more about FA.
SOURCE The Walk to Fight Familial Ataxias
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The Fight against Familial Ataxia continues…