Local Teen Organizes Charity WALK to Raise Awareness for Incurable Brain Condition
Anoka, Minnesota (PRWEB) July 19, 2013 -- Dylan Johnson is on a mission to raise awareness among teens about an incurable brain condition he has been living with since birth. He has organized the Anoka Hydro River WALK that will bring together more than 200 participants made up of mostly teens on August 10th to raise money for the Hydrocephalus Association. The Hydrocephalus Association is the nation’s largest non-profit association dedicated to providing support and education to individuals living with hydrocephalus and to fund research to find a cure for this condition.
“There’s no cure for hydrocephalus and the most common treatment, the insertion of a shunt into the brain, was developed in the 1950s. We need to raise money for research to find a cure and improve treatment options,” says Johnson. “My goal in organizing this event is to bring the community together and raise money for hydrocephalus.”
Johnson has used Facebook, friends, and word of mouth across local high schools and teen groups to issue a challenge to local teens to come out and learn more about hydrocephalus as well as participate in the event. The festivities begin at 9 am at the Mississippi River Community Park in Anoka, MN.
“We are very excited about our event. Hydrocephalus is more common than most people think and anyone at any age can get hydrocephalus from a head injury. People aren’t just born with it,” stated Johnson. “I have had challenges in school and sports because of my hydrocephalus. But the challenges I have overcome have made me stronger. I want to share that message with other teens, especially those that are dealing with something difficult in their lives.”
Troy Beckman and State Farm Insurance are sponsors for the Hydrocephalus Association’s Anoka Hydro River WALK 2013. Money raised at the event will support the HA’s national goal to raise more than $750,000 this year for critical hydrocephalus research and education. All Hydrocephalus Association WALKs are coordinated and run solely by volunteers with all of the proceeds used to eliminate the challenges of hydrocephalus by funding critical research and education. This WALK is the only teen run and focused event in the country.
Are you in high school or college? Have you heard about hydrocephalus? Would you like to make a difference in your local community and for the 1 million Americans living with a little known condition that need your help? Be a part of this event. Join Dylan Johnson in participating in the largest teen event for hydrocephalus awareness. Have questions? Call (763) 486-2961. Teens are making a difference every day! Families, relatives, and friends of all ages also welcome.
About the Hydrocephalus Association:
Founded in 1983 by the parents of children with hydrocephalus, the Hydrocephalus Association is the nation’s largest and most widely respected organization dedicated to hydrocephalus. More than 60 percent of HA's funding comes from individual donations and events, and approximately 35 percent comes from foundation and corporate grants. The Hydrocephalus Association's mission is to eliminate the challenges of hydrocephalus. For more information, visit the Hydrocephalus Association Web site at http://www.hydroassoc.org or call (888) 598-3789.
Amanda Garzon, Hydrocephalus Association, http://www.hydroassoc.org, (301) 202-3811 26, [email protected]
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