October 12, 2004 > Walk Smart for SMA a Success

by Linda Fernandes

Walk Smart, held Saturday, October 2, 2004, raised awareness and funding for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) research. This was the second annual fundraising walk in the Bay Area for the non-profit organization Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (FSMA) which funds research to find a cure for SMA and provides support to families coping with SMA. WALK SMART was held at Lake Elizabeth in Fremont and drew a crowd of over 200 participants, including more than 10 local families affected by SMA, and raised over $30,000!

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): is a group of inherited and often fatal diseases which destroy the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement. It affects a child's ability to sit, crawl, walk, control the head and neck, and even swallow and breathe and is the leading genetic cause of death of children under two. 1 in 6,000 births affected, 1 in 40 is a carrier. There is no age or ethnic preference and no cure, but needed research is ongoing.

100% percent of all the proceeds from WALK SMART go directly to Families of SMA (FSMA) to fund the necessary research. FSMA is volunteer driven and research receives 80 % of a donation, patient services 17%, and general expenses only 3%. To learn more about SMA, the organization FSMA and our mission please see www.CureSMA.org or contact Linda Fernandes at 510-797-9717.

To make a donation to support SMA research, please send a check payable to Families of SMA to WALK SMART, Families of SMA, PO Box 3831, Los Altos, CA 94024-0831.