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Angleman Syndrome Foundation to host annual walk

By: Liz Grimm
| Published 04/09/2016

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THE WOODLANDS, Texas — Step up and step out to help find a cure! The Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF) invites the community to participate in its annual walk on May 21 in The Woodlands to raise funds to improve the quality of life for individuals with Angelman syndrome – a severe, neurogenetic disorder.

People with Angelman syndrome don’t talk, have a hard time walking and using their hands, and will need someone to take care of them for the rest of their lives. Since Angelman syndrome shares symptoms with several other disorders including autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Rett and Prader-Willi syndromes, any research progress toward treating and curing symptoms has the potential to positively affect more than 12 million people. Angelman syndrome occurs in one in every 15,000 live births and exhibits symptoms such as: developmental delay; lack of speech; seizures; inappropriate laughter; and walking and balance disorders.

As part of its national walk, hundreds will gather on Saturday, May 21 at Rob Fleming Park located at 6055 Creekside Forest Dr. in The Village of Creekside Park of The Woodlands to raise funds to advance the awareness and understanding of Angelman syndrome through education and information, research and support. Over 450 participants are expected to turn out at this year’s walk.

“Year after year, the participation and support that radiates through our Walk is so amazing and inspiring,” said Debbie Sukin, the 2016 walk coordinator. “Together, we can raise funds to make the lives of those with Angelman’s better and ultimately reach the goal of finding a cure. We encourage the local community to join us for this fun and heartwarming event.”

Debbie Sukin, regional senior vice president, Houston Methodist and CEO of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, together with her husband, urologist Dr. Steven Sukin, have a 14-year-old son, Jacob, who was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome when he was just 14 months old. Today, Jacob’s warm smile and wonderful laugh, a typical symptom of the disorder, masks the challenges that this young boy faces every day along with his mom, dad, and younger brother.

Dr. Steven Sukin added, “During the past two decades of research, great strides have been made in advancing support for individuals with Angelman’s and towards discovering a possible treatment, if not finding a cure. Fundraising is more important than ever before, and we are looking forward to this being our most successful event yet. We are honored to host the Houston walk in The Woodlands and share with other families the overwhelming support of our community.”

Participants are encouraged to register in advance online at www.angelman.org (click the Walk tab for the Houston walk) or call 1-800-432-6435, or they can register the day of the event. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the 5K walk starts at 9 a.m.

For more information about the Walk, contact Debbie Sukin at debrasukin@yahoo.com. For more information about the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, visit www.angelman.org.

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