. Sat 05/21/2011 - Sat 05/21/2011 |
08:30 AM The Angelman Syndrome Walk-A-Thon will be held in Lafayette on Saturday, May 21, at Heymann Park, 1500 South Orange Street. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30.
Angelman Syndrome is a neurological disorder that is largely misdiagnosed as either autism or cerebral palsy. People with Angelman Syndrome are developmentally delayed, have difficulty with balance and walking, sometimes laugh inappropriately and experience seizures. Most people with Angelman Syndrome cannot speak. They will require care for their entire lives.
The prevalence of AS is estimated as 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 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 hope that these annual walks for Angelman Syndrome will raise awareness and encourage further diagnosis of Angelman Syndrome. The money raised will be used for education, support and medical research. Each year brings us One Step Closer to a better life for people with Angelman Syndrome.
To register for the 2011 Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk or for more information about Angelman Syndrome, contact the Angelman Syndrome Foundation at 1-800-432-6435 or register online at www.angelman.org.
More Information:
337-332-6516
Angelman Syndrome Foundation
