WBNQ is proud to the support this great event on Sunday September 20,2012 at Tipton Park in Bloomington. Registration is free and a picnic lunch and t-shirt is available for all registered participants. Help raise funds for programs serving children, adults, and families affected by Spina Bifida.

15th Annual Memorial Walk-and-Roll-A-Thon
In Memory of Emma Kenny, Shannon Kolodzieski, Kaylin Rood, and Sarah Whitted

Sunday, September 30, 2012 

Click HERE to sign up.

From Spina Bifida Association of Illinois FAQ page:

What is Spina Bifida?
 

Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the U.S., and affects 3 out of every 10,000 newborns in Illinois.

Spina Bifida is a Neural Tube Defect (NTD), resulting from the failure of the spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy. In severe cases, the spinal cord protrudes through the back and may be covered by skin or a thin membrane. Surgery to close a newborn's back is generally performed within 24 hours after birth to minimize the risk of infection and to preserve existing function in the spinal cord.

Because of the paralysis resulting from the damage to the spinal cord, people born with Spina Bifida may need surgeries and other extensive medical care. The condition can also cause bowel and bladder complications. A large percentage of children born with Spina Bifida also have hydrocephalus, the accumulation of fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus is controlled by a surgical procedure called "shunting" which relieves the fluid build up in the brain by redirecting it into the abdominal area. Most children born with Spina Bifida live well into adulthood as a result of today's sophisticated medical techniques.