Area walk will raise funds
to support disease research
By karl vilacoba
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — Participants are wanted to help push medical progress toward the finish line through the "Step Forward to Cure Tuberous Sclerosis" walk-a-thon.
To Marlboro resident Celia Mastbaum, secretary of the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance (TS Alliance), the march ahead is a personal one. Her son Matthew, 11, is one of the estimated 1,300 people in New Jersey who have been diagnosed with the rare disorder. He used to suffer from tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) related seizures which have been under control for five years.
"If someone mentioned tuberous sclerosis to you, you probably wouldn’t have heard of it. But unfortunately, there are a lot of people in this area who have it," Mastbaum said.
TSC is a genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to form in any of the vital organs, including the brain, eyes, heart, kidneys and skin, according to the TS Alliance. While TSC affects some individuals mildly, others are afflicted by seizures, autism and mental retardation. An estimated 50,000 people in the United States and 1 million people worldwide are believed to have the disorder.
But the awareness of the disease that has been promoted through events has yielded results in recent years, Mastbaum said.
"Tuberous sclerosis research is really starting to take off now because genetic research has become so big," she said.
The Oct. 6 walk-a-thon will span a 5K (3-mile) route beginning and ending at the Marlboro Recreation Center, Wyncrest Road. The event will begin rain or shine at 10 a.m., with a 9 a.m. registration time.
Prizes, including electronics and a night out on the town (dinner and movie tickets), will be awarded to top walkers and team leaders. ShopRite of Marlboro will be the food and drink sponsor and representatives of Elite Fitness and Sports Center will lead a warm-up stretch before the walk.
All funds raised will be used by the TS Alliance for research and support programs to promote awareness of TSC. Each walker is asked to raise at least $100 and each team $1,000. Sponsorships are being offered at $500 and $250 levels, with sponsor names to be displayed at the finish line area. All funds are tax deductible. For more information contact Celia Mastbaum at (732) 972-1034.