ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. -- The National Ataxia Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of persons affected by ataxia through support, education, and research.
The organization will host Walk, Stroll n' Roll for Ataxia on Saturday, September 17 at Wolfe Park in St. Louis Park. In addition to the walk the event will include family activities, a program and a drawing. The event will run from 9 a.m. - 12 noon.
The National Ataxia Foundation's primary emphasis is on a group of specific degenerative diseases of the nervous system called the hereditary and sporadic ataxias.
NAF has deep Minnesota roots. It was founded by a St. Cloud MN neurologist who observed a pattern of physical disorders in his family. These disorders were believed to be hereditary, and the first ataxia gene was discovered at the University of Minnesota in 1993. The U of M remains a hub of ataxia research and clinical work, and is the home of the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center - founded by the family of the late Minnesota Twin baseball player who died of complications from ataxia.
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