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Feature
Walk Benefits And Draws Attention To Incurable Illnesses
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The Tampa Bay Ataxia Group (TBAG) had planned to host their “60 for 60 Walk n’ Roll To Cure Ataxia” last November. However, the event was cancelled.
Now the organizers have rescheduled the event for Saturday, January 13th. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the 3.1 mile walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. The event will be held at the University of South Florida Marshall Student Center, 4103 USF Cedar Circle, Tampa, 33620.
The theme for the walk is “The Ultimate Finish Line ... A Cure For Ataxia.”
Ms. Darlene Harris, President of the Tampa Bay Ataxia Group, said, “I take a lot of honor and pride to be given the opportunity to be president. Under my leadership, one of my goals is to bring more awareness to this horrible disease.
“I am asking the Tampa Bay community’s sup- port as a participant in my first huge event, “60 for 60 Walk n’ Roll To Cure Ataxia.”
A Tampa native, Ms. Harris graduated from Jefferson High School and continued her educa- tion at the University of South Florida. She earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work and her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Sci- ence.
Ms. Harris obtained employment with the
MS. DARLENE HARRIS President, Tampa Bay Ataxia Group
Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library Sys- tem and worked there for 32 years.
However, in March 2011, she was diagnosed with Hereditary Ataxia and in August of the same year, she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syn- drome. Both illnesses are degenerative diseases of the nervous system and there is no known cure for either.
Both diseases affect the person’s speech, bal- ance, and coordination. As a result of her illness, Ms. Harris was forced to retire in 2013.
After retiring, Ms. Harris joined TBAG for support. She served as Vice President of the or- ganization for 2014 and 2015. In November 2016, she was chosen as the president.
The members meet quarterly and invite guest speakers, have social events, and fundraisers.
As far as her personal care, Ms. Harris began participating in a trial program in April 2016 known as Plasmapheresis. The treatment, which requires hospitalization for 10 days every 3 months is similar to Dialysis, she said.
To learn more about the illness, make a dona- tion, or to join a team to walk in the event, visit the website at https://ataxia.donorpages.com- /201760For60/TampaBayAtaxiaSupportGroup.
All proceeds from the walk will benefit the Na- tional Ataxia Foundation.
Ms. Harris can be reached by calling (813) 431-2859 or email her at Msdee004@gmail.com.
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