Focus on TUSD - September 2007

Hudlow Fun Walk Raises Money and Awareness
Approximately 65 people came out to walk, run, volunteer and cheer for the A-T Children's Project fun walk held at Hudlow Elementary School Sept. 16.

The walk was organized by Trish Miller, a first-grade teacher at Hudlow. "We had a truly inspiring and amazing day yesterday! I got involved with the A-T Children's Project when my niece was diagnosed with the deadly, degenerative disorder," wrote Miller in an e-mail on Sept. 17.

The A-T Children's Project Web site describes itself as "a non-profit organization that raises funds to support and coordinate first-rate biomedical research projects, scientific conferences and a clinical center aimed at finding a cure or life-improving therapies for ataxia-telangiectasia, a lethal genetic disease that attacks children." The disease causes progressive loss of muscle control, immune system problems, and a strikingly high rate of cancer, especially leukemia and lymphoma, says the Web site.

Miller, whose niece, Kati, now 7, was diagnosed with the disease when she was 2 years old. In her e-mail, Miller said the fun walk raised $1,294. "Two years ago Hudlow did a walk-a-thon in honor of Kati and the school raised $3,000 that year!" wrote Miller, whose family came from Colorado to participate in the event.

Tim Borland is a marathon runner raising money for the A-T Children's Project, wrote Miller. "He is a very generous man who has given up his regular life to bring awareness and funds to this disease. All families and friends affected by this disease are very thankful," wrote Miller.

"What made this event even more special is the fact that my parents, my brother, Wade, and Kati all flew out to participate and help with the event. Wade ran the 26.2 mile marathon route in the streets of Tucson with Tim. Kati rode the last mile in a jogger-stroller pushed by my brother and assisted by Tim. It was truly heartwarming and tear-jerking to see Kati run across the finish line the last quarter mile!"

Kudos to Hudlow for raising funds for the A-T Children's Project.

-- By Sharon Dunham
Communications & Media Relations