Minnesota's 13th Annual Walk-n-Roll is Set for This Saturday

This Saturday, Minnesota is hosting its 13th annual Walk-n-Roll, a benefit to help fight against Spinal Muscular Atrophy. I recently had the chance to ask a few questions to one of the event's leaders, the very driven Bethany Behling. Check out the event she is hosting. My questions are highlighted, her answers are below. MC: Tell us a bit about your event this week and the cause you are fighting for? Bethany: Our event is on Saturday September 14th, 2013 at Silver View Park in Mounds View. We are having our 13th annual Walk-n-Roll to benefit Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy is a motor neuron disease. The motor neurons affect the voluntary muscles that are used for activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control, and swallowing. One in 40 people are genetic carriers while 1 in 6,000 babies are affected. There are four different types of SMA and that is dependent on their functioning ability. MC: Who directly does the event help? A hospital, certain children afflicted? Bethany: Our event is going to be helping a wide range of people. We help with newly diagnosed SMA families with welcome packets, provider lists, getting equipment etc. We also use the money to help currently affected families, researchers and providers. Our goal is to help find a treatment and a cure for SMA. MC: What is your role for the foundation and how did you get involved? Bethany: My role in the foundation is Minnesota Chapter President. I got involved with FSMA by volunteering. My boyfriends family is affected with the disease and I really liked what their mission was and wanted to help in anyway that I could. I really enjoyed meeting all of the families and really wanted to help plan these events. I wanted to take some of the ideas that I had and try to implement them in a more official capacity. MC: Provide some details on your upcoming event this week, and future events. How can people help out? Bethany: Our event this Saturday is a 5k. We will also be having food, games, vendors and FSMA merchandise. We will also be having a raffle with items such as, an American Girl doll, a wine tasting/vineyard tour and Swarm tickets. The event is free to attend. We are constantly updating our Facebook page with new information. Last week we raffled off five pairs of Twins tickets. If people want to help out, first off, that is awesome! Secondly, you can send us a message to get on our volunteer list and we can find something that people can do that they would enjoy. We always love to have volunteers and we can never have enough! Our chapter website is http://www.fsma.org/FSMACommunity/Chapters/Minnesota and this event website is www.fsma.org/minnesotawalk2013.