| Imagine a life without being able to eat meat, fish, poultry, milk, eggs, cheese, ice cream, legumes, nuts, or many products containing regular flour. Just imagine, you can't have a slice of pizza.
For young Nathan Kiely, this isn't something he can't imagine, it's his reality. Nathan has PKU.
What is PKU?
PKU (phenylketonuria), is a rare metabolic disease that prevents the conversion of an essential amino acid that causes a toxic buildup of other amino acids that end up having an incredibly devastating impact on the central nervous system.
Untreated, the condition can result in mental retardation and other neurological problems. Nathan is being treated and can expect normal development and a normal life span, but like all treatments, it's expensive and in this case, it's ongoing.
Nathan is on a highly modified diet that eliminates concentrated sources of protein in order to limit the amount of phenylalanine, the amino acid that can cause all of the damage. Until December of 2007, this was the only treatment available. New drugs are experimental and expensive. Either option is expensive and life-long.
Nathan's Mom is a teacher at Ridgeview Classical Schools in Fort Collins. Her colleagues have established a 501-C3 Fund to help the Kiely's defray the cost of Nathan's ongoing treatment. When we heard they needed help, the decision was easy. We're strapping on our skates and hitting the trail to raise money for Nathan's Fund!
How You Can Help Us Help Nathan
A small group of Inline Skaters from Fort Collins and Loveland will endeavor to skate 100 continuous miles on inline skates on the recreation trails in and around Fort Collins. The route will take them through most of Fort Collins' interlinked parks (Spring Canyon, Roland Moore, Lee Martinez, Edora and their joining trails) and on up to LaPorte before finishing back at the parking lot of Ridgeview Classical Schools at the corner of Lemay & Stuart.
We're seeking pledges of sponsorship on a cash per mile donation basis. Suggested donation is $.25 per mile / $25 total pledge. (We promise we won't skate more than 100 miles!) Feel free to pledge more!
THE SKATERS (as of 4/8/09): 100 Mile Team: Chris Howley, Chad Schneider, David Eye, Tony Toffoli Wave Team: John Litschert, Dave Skram, David Johnshon, Paul Howley
IMPORTANT! You're only sponsoring on an "All for One/One for All" per pledge basis. You will only be charged once based on your choice of sponsorship level selected in the Make a Contribution box below. At least one team member must complete the 100 continuous miles!
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