Walk-A-Thon to be held Next Week

When it comes to a charitable cause, any donation is a good amount. On April 17 Biemsderfer Stadium is hosting the Walk-A-Thon for Histiocytosis.

Brayton Martin is a child of the Millersville community with Histiocytosis and are celebrating his one year post bone marrow transplant April 17. In his honor, his parents will be holding a Walk-A-Thon to raise awareness and money for the Histiocytosis Association of America.

Histiocytosis is a rare blood disease caused by excess white blood cells called histiocytes. These histiocytes cluster together and attack many body systems, including the skin, bones, lungs, liver, spleen, gums, ears, eyes, and the central nervous system.

Histiocytosis affects 1 in 200,000 children born in a year in the United States. Due to the disease’s rarity, very little research is done regarding its cause or treatment. Histiocytosis is known as an “orphan disease,” which means it influences too few people in order to receive government supported research and funding.

There is a $10 registration fee for walkers, all of which is donated to the Histiocytosis Association of America. Preregistering is not required. Donations can be made to www.histio.org under “Donations.” Donations can also be e-mailed to BraytonsWalk4ACure@yahoo.com to speak directly to the family about donating, or with any other words of help, wisdom, or concern.

The Student Senate, as well as College Republicans, Circle K, and the Early Childhood Organization will be at the event and are helping raise money and promote the event. Senator Angela Smolczynski really loves seeing Millersville University and the surrounding community working toward a common cause. “The Martins are such a great family who continuously put forth so much time and effort into the Histiocytosis Association of America, that I couldn’t imagine helping out a better cause,” Smolczynski said.