For the first time in its history, the New Jersey Walk For Tourette Syndrome will hold a walk in Medford Lakes on Sept. 20.
Each year, the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome assembles three walks a year, one in North Jersey, Central Jersey and now South Jersey.
As the nation’s first center of excellence for Tourette Syndrome, NJCTS is committed to the advocacy of individuals and families living with TS and its associated disorders.
Through programs such as NJ Walks for TS, the organization is making strides to spread awareness, acceptance and empowerment on behalf of kids living with TS.
“For some children, it’s the first chance they’ve had to see other kids with TS. For parents and siblings, to see hundreds of other moms, dads, sisters and brothers standing in support of their loved one means a lot. It’s extremely gratifying to watch hundreds of people gather as advocates for the TS community,” said Lisa Fortunato, communications and public relations coordinator for the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome.
New Jersey Walks for Tourette Syndrome was created by kids, for kids, to help kids living with TS by spreading awareness, acceptance and empowerment.
“It is a chance to stand up and break the stigma around TS. We want to show our support for our friends, family and neighbors living with this misunderstood neurological disorder,” Fortunato said.
There is no cure for TS, but the group is working to advocate for collaborative research and better treatments by raising funds with these walks.
New Jersey Walks for TS was developed in 2010 as a collaboration between New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, and Mendham teenager Emily Carrara to raise awareness for Tourette Syndrome.
TS is an inherited and often misdiagnosed neurological disorder characterized by involuntary sounds and movements known as tics that affects one in 100 children.
Since the first walk in 2010, the program has grown to be statewide with a walk in Central New Jersey at Princeton and, new this year, the first walk in South Jersey at Medford Lakes.
Jen Heicklen and Maureen Faber have been instrumental in bringing the walk to the Medford area by making strides in promoting the event throughout the business community.
Like Heicklen, Faber also has a daughter with TS and volunteers her time to NJCTS.
“(Jen) has worked tirelessly to spread the word, recruit volunteers and gain the support of her community. She has two daughters with TS, and she has been very brave in not only sharing the challenges they encounter, but also the emotions that come with raising children with special needs. We are grateful for her spirit and leadership in bringing NJ Walks to South Jersey,” Fortunato said.
The walk is a 5k family fun run.
This year’s event will feature a 50/50 raffle as well as a special raffle for a one-year family membership to Medford Fitness.
Another highlight of the walk will be the music being played by Dawson Coyle, a locally popular singer/songwriter also living with TS.
Those who are physically unable to participate or just fans of Coyle are also encouraged to come and show their support for the TS community.
Donations can be made at www.active.com/donate/NJWalksMedfordLakes.
For those interested in walking, registration will be $25 at www.active.com/medford-lakes-nj/running/distance-running-races/nj-walks-for-ts-at-medford-lakes-2015.
All proceeds raised will benefit the NJCTS Education Outreach Program, which delivers youth leadership training, scholarships and in-service workshops to schools and hospitals across the state.
“Our teams usually include parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. It’s wonderful to see these teams gather to encourage the kids in their life,” Fortunato said. “And watching kids lead the way, literally carrying the banner for awareness and acceptance of TS, speaks volumes.”
If you would like to volunteer on Sept. 20, contact NJCTS at (908) 575–7350 or info@njcts.org.
Participants will gather at Beach 1 Upper Aetna Lake on Tabernacle Road in Medford Lakes at 8 a.m. for check-in and on site registration and the walk will kick off at 10 a.m.
The event will be rain or shine and the food and music will immediately follow the conclusion of the walk.
