Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk-A-Thon to be Held May 17 in Seven Cities Across the Country 4/3/2003
From: Eileen Braun, 800-432-6435 (800-IF-ANGEL), email: ebraun@angelman.org; or in Washington: Leigh Sutherland, 202-316-3794 email: leigh.sutherland@verizon.net WASHINGTON, April 3 -- The Angelman Syndrome Foundation has announced that its National 2003 Walk-A-Thon, 'One Step Closer,' will be held Saturday, May 17, in seven cities. Families and friends around the country will be walking in Washington, D.C.; Chicago, Ill.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Dallas, Texas; Orange County, Calif.; and Detroit, Mich., to raise awareness of Angelman Syndrome. Angelman Syndrome is a neurological disorder that is often misdiagnosed as either autism or cerebral palsy. People with Angelman Syndrome are developmentally delayed, experience seizures, have difficulty with balance and walking, and sometimes laugh inappropriately. Most people with Angelman Syndrome cannot speak. The prevalence of Angelman Syndrome is estimated at 1:15,000 in the population. Angelman Syndrome occurs equally in males, females and all ethnic groups. A large portion of the Angelman population, especially adults and minorities, remain undiagnosed. Angelman Syndrome was first identified in 1965 by British pediatrician, Dr. Harry Angelman. The genetic marker for Angelman Syndrome was identified in 1997. Angelman Syndrome is a malfunction of the ubiquitin protein gene, located in the UBE3A gene on the 15th chromosome. Angelman Syndrome is also of great medical 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," said Angelman Foundation national spokesperson Eileen Braun. "We hope that these annual walk-a-thons for Angelman Syndrome will raise awareness and encourage further diagnosis. The money raised will be used for medical research, education and support. Each year brings us 'One Step Closer' to a better life for people with Angelman Syndrome." In the Washington area, The Angelman Syndrome National 2003 Walk-A-Thon begins at 10 a.m. in front of St. Coletta School at 207 S. Peyton Street, Alexandria, Va. For information on walks in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, California and Michigan contact Eileen Braun at 800-432-6435. To pre-register for The Angelman Syndrome National 2003 Walk-A-Thon, contact the Angelman Syndrome Foundation at 800-IF-ANGEL or register on-line at http://www.angelmanwalk.org For more information about Angelman Syndrome, visit the Angelman Syndrome Foundation website at http://www.angelman.org. |