A 150 mile motorcycle run through rural Chicago in August
hopes to not only raise money for a little known cause, but
also bring awareness to a disorder affecting thousands of
infants.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder affects 40,000 infants a
year, more than Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome and Muscular
Dystrophy combined, yet it is a relatively unaddressed
issue.
"Even with an increase in efforts to promote prevention
of prenatal alcohol exposure and research examining the
effects of exposure on development, prenatal in utero
exposure to alcohol continues to be a significant and
complex public health concern," said Mia Gregor, Psy.D.,
clinical psychologist with the Center for Personal
Development in Chicago, IL and FASTeam board member.
"FAS was first recognized by the U.S. Surgeon General in
1981, but I had never heard of it before being introduced to
the FASTeam. I think lack of awareness of this completely
preventable birth defect can be overcome and we can have an
important and positive effect on families nationwide," said
Kate Koziol, president of K Squared Communications and newly
elected Board Member for the FASTeam.
One of the key fundraisers is the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Tour, a scenic 150-mile trip through the rural western
Chicago suburbs starting at 9:30 Sunday morning, August 17,
2008. The 3:00 PM post-ride party at Galways in Elmhurst
will include riders and other FASTeam supporters for a
dinner buffet, a live band and raffles featuring a 2008
Harley-Davidson Super-Glide.
"We started the ride in 2004 and it has grown every year,"
said Walt Teichen, Chairman of the FASTeam Board of
Directors and who co-founded the organization in 2003 with
his wife Kathy. "Our family has been dramatically impacted
by FASD and we are committed to help other families and FASD
victims get the help they need. The mission of the FASTeam
is to raise awareness of and aid in the prevention of FASD
and the motorcycle ride is one of the many ways we reach so
many people while raising funds for the cause."
Other F.A.S.T. Ride sponsors in addition to K Squared
include DKM Insurance Advisors, Galway's Bar & Grill, Geico
Insurance, Illinois Harley-Davidson, Law Tigers, Meritan
Health, Peerless, Personal Preference, Inc., SportDecals,
TCF Bank, Mikes Meat Market and Deli, DuPage Honda - Yamaha.
