Race for Christina Will Support Friedreich's Ataxia Research

A local woman is organizing a Mother’s Day event she hopes will help find a cure for a neuromuscular disease her sister was diagnosed with over a year ago. 

Catherine Logan is organizing the Race for Christina on May 12 at Tyler State Park in honor of her sister Christina, who has been diagnosed with Friedrich’s ataxia, a neuromuscular disease that affects coordination and balance.

The progressive disease eventually leads to a life altering loss of mobility, speech dysfunction and hearing loss, Logan explained. “Although considered a rare disease, a significant number of children and adults suffer with FA, and currently there is no cure or treatment,” she added.

Logan is organizing the 5K event to support Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), a nonprofit dedicated to curing the disease.

Logan said she deliberately selected Mother’s Day as the date for the event. “My sister is everything to me and I have always felt like a mother hen to her,” she said. “It only seems fitting that this event be held on Mother's Day.”

There will be prizes for the winners, including spa packages from David J. Witchell Spa and Salon, a subscription to the Walnut Street Theatre, and gift certificates to Goodnoe’s Ice Cream, Zebra Striped Whale and Mom Mom's Bake at Home Pizza. 

“This race is perfect for anyone in the area who is unsure what do to Mother's Day morning,” Logan said, adding organizers will be handing out carnations to adult women in honor of the holiday.

Logan said she expects more than 200 people to attend the event, including children from the Walnut Street Theatre who will sing the National Anthem. Newtown residents from the group include Cameron Flurry, Grace Matwijec, Erik Daughterman and Tyler Hentz.

The 5K walk and run will begin at 9 a.m. at Tyler State Park. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Pre-registration is available online by visiting this link.

The cost to participate is $20 in advance or $25 that day. Children are $10. The race will begin by the Tyler Park Center for the Arts; use the Richboro Road entrance.