I have told enough people about the plan for the 1st Annual SF Bay Area Walk n' Roll for ataxia on Saturday, Sept. 27th, 2008 that I am committed to coordinating it now. Funny how that works. I have talked with Earl, who runs the San Diego walk about how to get started, I have communicated with a few of the key local ataxia group members about it, and I have contacted the National Ataxia Foundation (NAF), the organization that will receive the proceeds from the event.
Also, I have announced to my friends that I will be taking on this project. After all, the key to success for this event will be from the support of people I know and volunteer power. I am lucky to know a lot of talented people including artists, engineers, event planners, and marketing people. Thank you in advance if you are reading this.
First thing to do is to organize a planning committee. I have Ikue, Mike, and Deb on board.
Next, we need to find a location for the event. It sounds simple enough, but there are many requirements to make this a fun and accessible walk for all. Many of the participants will be individuals with ataxia, who may be using assistive devices or wheelchairs. We need a flat, wide, accessible path of about one mile. Ideally, it will be a loop path so that if people want to turn back in the middle, they won't be like a salmon swimming upstream against traffic. I am open to anywhere in the bay area. So far, I have three places in mind:
1. Central Park in Santa Clara
2. Redwood City harbor area
3. Crissy Field in SF
I have also gotten other suggestions, like , the San Leandro marina and Lake Cunningham Park in San Jose, or using a high school track. Please keep the input and ideas coming!
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Download Printable Forms
How to sponsor this event:
1. Write a check payable to "NAF". Include "SF Walk" in the memo section of the check.
2. Mail the check to the National Ataxia Foundation at, 2600 Fernbrook Lane N Suite 119, Minneapolis, MN 55447
OR
Go to NAF's website to make a donation online. Write "SF Walk" in the 'Designations-other' box so that your donation counts towards our local support group's total.
All contributions are tax deductible and go to a great cause!
What is Ataxia?
Ataxia consists of problems with coordination because parts of the nervous system that control movement and balance are affected. Ataxia may affect the fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and eye movements. There are many types of ataxias. It can be hereditary or sporadic. Ataxia can also be a symptom of head injury, stroke, MS, alcoholism, etc. For more about ataxia, click here for NAF's website
My mother has Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). This is a hereditary degenerative disease, which means that I am also at risk.
My primary goal for this event (click here for flyer) is to raise awareness about ataxia. Hopefully, the walk will also generate money for more research about ataxia. Last, but not least, the goal is to HAVE FUN!
Task list (need help)
- 1. Get more items donated for raffle.
- 2. Assign tasks for volunteers on event day.
- 3. Finalize event day logistics (registration table, signs, raffle, MC, route maps, etc)
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