The Central Jersey Dystonia Support and Action Group, which has been meeting at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, for 16 years, needs runners and sponsors for its team in the TCS New York City Marathon. This year’s marathon will be held on Nov. 6.
Dystonia, which causes muscles to painfully and involuntarily contract and spasm, is caused by too much electrical activity in the brain, according to a press release. Experts estimate that hundreds of thousands, and possibly as many as 750,000 people in the United States, have a form of dystonia. One third of them are children.
While many diseases and disorders deteriorate parts of bodies, experts have not found any permanent damage in the brains of dystonia patients. Therefore, if they are able to find the source of the extra electricity and turn it off, as many as 750,000 people in the nation could be cured, according to the press release.
New York Road Runners, which hosts the TCS New York City Marathon, requires that anyone running for a charity raise at least $2,500 for that organization.
Proceeds from the support group’s team will benefit the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, according to the press release. This is the fourth consecutive year the support group will have a team in the marathon. Its teams have raised more than $40,000 in each of the previous three years.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the marathon team or running on it can get more information by emailing [email protected]