Ten Years of Walking for Prader-Willi Syndrome!
There were skeptics and there were naysayers, but Renee Tarica, Fran Moss, Toni Campoy, and Linda Ryan had a vision for an awareness and fundraising walkathon and persevered. With guidance and help from PWCF members Lianne Noddle, Henry Tarica and Frank Moss, the first Walking for Prader-Willi Syndrome awareness and fund raising event was born in 2001. Of that first Walk Renee remembers, "It was pretty exciting, waiting for the unknown. We were quite pleased with the turnout. After the Walk Frank, Fran, Henry and I went home to count the monies we'd collected. We were surprised and excited [to have counted $20,600]. The following year we added a Walk in Northern California" which grossed a whopping $75,500!
This year marked PWCF's 10th annual Walk and now boasts three events spanning the State of California. If you've not yet attended an event, you are sure missing out on a whole lot of fun. Just ask PWCF members Ivette and Victor Ramos who brought over 90 of their closest family and friends to this year's Walk! There is music, whether it's a live band as those lucky Northerners are treated to by Austin DeLone and his now-famous PWS Noisemakers Band, or, it's a fantastically fun DJ. There are family-friendly and exercise-oriented games and raffles. Southerners are treated to a delicious catered picnic lunch. No matter which Walk you attended this year, there was a feeling of excitement and connection and a coming together for a common cause - to honor those who have Prader-Willi syndrome and to raise public awareness and funds to help us improve the quality of life for all who are impacted by this complex and too-often devastating disorder.
So far we've raised almost $47,000 and because YOU CAN STILL DONATE TO SUPPORT YOUR LOVED ONE OR FAMILY FRIEND you can still help us reach or exceed our $50,000 fundraising goal. Please make your tax-deductible donation today!
PWCF's Board and Walk Planning Committees are already busy planning next year's Walks. To keep them fresh and relevant the next decade of awareness Walks will likely see some very exciting changes and increased public outreach. Be a part of the next generation of events! Contact PWCF and get involved in planning the 2011 events!
PWCF would like to recognize and thank the following persons and organizations who worked so hard to create this year's amazing Walk events:
Central California - April 24 |
Northern California - April 25 |
Southern California - May 2 |
Top Fundraisers!
PWCF extends our most sincere appreciation to each and every Sponsor and Donor. Every contribution, from the pocket-sized to the extraordinarily generous, provides a substantial service to persons with Prader-Willi syndrome and their families. We express our gratitude to everyone who collected donations and helped increase awareness, and we especially thank this year's Top Fundraisers shown below. On behalf of PWCF and the families we support, thank you and see you next year!
Central California  |
Northern California |
Southern California |
Click here to view a photo collage of this year's Walk events.
| © 1999-2005 Prader-Willi California Foundation |