Indianapolis Residents Unite Around Incurable Brain Condition
Indianapolis, Indiana (PRWEB) July 22, 2014 -- More than 200 walkers representing local families, schools, corporations and organizations are expected to mobilize for the Hydrocephalus Association’s (HA) Inaugural Indianapolis WALK to raise awareness for an incurable brain condition. The event will take place September 6, 2014 at Military Park at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. Money raised will support HA’s national goal to raise more than $1.1 million for critical hydrocephalus research and program services.
“The only treatment for hydrocephalus requires brain surgery, and the current medical device being implanted to treat the condition was developed in the 1950s. That’s unacceptable,” stated Jacob McClellan, WALK co-chair. “Over one million Americans live with the challenges of hydrocephalus – there is no prevention and there is no cure. We are raising money for research to find a cure and better treatment options for our loved ones. It’s time for a cure and we’re helping to lead the way.”
The Hydrocephalus Association began funding research in 2009. Since then HA has committed well over $3 million to research, making it the largest non-profit, non-governmental funder of hydrocephalus research in the country.
“My son Oliver was diagnosed with a small brain tumor at 18 months of age, which caused his hydrocephalus,” shared Sarah McClellan, WALK co-chair. “He had his first brain surgery immediately after diagnosis. A few weeks later, we found out the first procedure wasn't successful and he underwent another brain surgery to have a shunt placed. To watch our toddler go through two brain surgeries and numerous other medical procedures was a difficult and life-changing experience. We came to rely heavily on the support that we received from the Hydrocephalus Association, and through them we were also able to connect with other families that were dealing with similar situations. We are walking to raise funds to help find a cure so that our son, and others with hydrocephalus, will no longer have to deal with all of the challenges that hydrocephalus brings.”
This year’s Indianapolis HA WALK will include food, face painting, balloon animals, and a best T-shirt design contest. Families with hydrocephalus are invited to tell their story in poster format to be displayed on Ambassador Avenue. The sponsors helping make this year’s WALK possible include Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, and Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C. Please contact Sarah McClellan at indyHAwalk(at)gmail(dot)com for more information, or to become an event sponsor.
Registration begins at 8:30am with the WALK starting at 10:00am. Participants raising $50 or more will receive a HA WALK T-shirt. There is still time to register to participate as a team or an individual walker by visiting http://hawalk.kintera.org/Indianapolis, or by contacting HA at 888-598-3789 Ext. 12 or via email at walk(at)hydroassoc(dot)org.
About the Hydrocephalus Association:
Founded in 1983 by parents of children with hydrocephalus, the Hydrocephalus Association has grown to be the nation’s largest and most widely respected organization dedicated to hydrocephalus. All Hydrocephalus Association WALKs are volunteer initiated and volunteer coordinated. Last year’s Hydrocephalus Association WALKs raised more than $1 million from over 10,000 walkers participating at 30 sites across the country. For more information, visit the Hydrocephalus Association web site at http://www.hydroassoc.org or call (888) 598-3789.
Amanda Garzon, Hydrocephalus Association, http://www.hydroassoc.org, (301) 202-3811 Ext: 26, [email protected]
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