Angelman Syndrome Foundation Holding Walk-A-Thon

Angelman Syndrome Foundation's Walk-A-Thon to be held May 17 at North Shore Park

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The Angelman Syndrome Foundation's Walk-A-Thon will return to The Woodlands on Saturday, May 17th at Town Green Park.

This will mark the 3rd year that The Woodlands has joined 19 other cities nationwide to host this community-wide event themed "One Step Closer," which aims to raise funds and awareness for Angelman Syndrome.

Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a neurological disorder that is largely misdiagnosed as either autism or cerebral palsy. Individuals with AS are developmentally delayed, have difficulty with balance and walking, sometimes laugh inappropriately and experience seizures. Most individuals cannot speak, and they will require care for their entire lives.

The prevalence of Angelman Syndrome is estimated as one in 15,000 live births and it occurs equally in males, females and all ethnic groups. A large portion of the AS population, especially adults and minorities, remain undiagnosed

Angelman Syndrome was first identified in 1965 by British pediatrician, Dr. Harry Angelman. The genetic marker was identified in 1997. Angelman Syndrome is a malfunction of the ubiquitin protein gene, located in the region of the UBE3A gene on the 15th chromosome. Angelman Syndrome is of great interest as an example of genetic imprinting.

Research in Angelman Syndrome will lead to further breakthroughs in the treatment and understanding of seizures, autism and many other neurological and genetic disorders.

Organizers of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk-A-Thon hope that these annual walk-a-thons will raise awareness and encourage further diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome. The money raised will be used for education, support and medical research.

Debbie Sukin, CEO of St. Luke's Community Medical Center - The Woodlands, together with her husband, urologist Dr. Steven Sukin, have a six year old son, Jacob, who was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome at 14 months. Today, his warm smile and wonderful laugh, a typical symptom of the disorder, masks the challenges that he and his family face every day.

Through the Sukin's involvement with the Angelman Syndrome Foundation and its 26-member Houston chapter, they have helped organize the Walk-A-Thon's in The Woodlands which has raised close to $100,000 in two years with more than 300 in attendance each year.

In 2007, the Angelman Syndrome Foundation was able to fund over $700,000 in research. Ten research proposals will be funded in 2007-2008 thanks to the fundraising efforts of Angelman families and friends across the country. Each year brings us One Step Closer to a better life for individuals with Angelman Syndrome.

"We encourage the community to lace up their sneakers and walk with us once again to help support this important walk-a-thon," said Debbie Sukin. "By coming together, we can help bring attention to Angelman syndrome and hopefully make a difference in the efforts of the Foundation to find a cure. But most importantly, we can support others who are facing difficulties by this and other disorders."

Registration for the 3.1 mile walk begins at 7 a.m. and the walk starts at 8 a.m. at Town Green Park.

Participants can register the day of the event, or in advance online at the Web site below through the Houston link.

This year's sponsors include Aramark Healthcare; Texas Children's Pediatric Associates; Memorial Hermann Surgery Center; and Spring Creek Surgery Center.

For more information about the Angelman Syndrome, please visit the Angelman Syndrome Foundation Web site.