Page 22 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2020

COAST NOTES
story by Alaysha Allen
photos courtesy of Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport
The second annual Beach Day at the Wheel Way will be on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. between Steve’s Marina and Simpson Pier on the west side of the Long Beach Harbor.
The Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport began this event to spread the word about the Wheel Way and its purpose of providing individuals with disabilities access to the beach in the best way possible. The Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport prides itself on serving children and families of Pass Christian, Long Beach, Gulfport, and the other areas of Harrison County. Selena Rodgers, member and event chair says, “We wanted Beach Day at the Wheel Way to bring awareness to the ramp and also bring people together.”
Beach Day at
the Wheel Way, in celebration of National
Disabilities Awareness Month, welcomes all individuals with special needs and their families to come and celebrate in the free event in partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park’s Institute for Disability Studies and the City of Long Beach.
Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport www.jagulfport.org
ZEBRA RUN
FOR RARE DISEASE
story by Jae Schifano photo by Brian Treadaway
On your mark, get set, go! The third annual Zebra Run for Rare Disease will be held on February 29 at Fort Maurepas Park in Ocean Springs from 7 to 10:30 a.m.. The Zebra Run was created by Amber Olsen and Thomas Cannan, whose daughter, Willow, was diagnosed with Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD) at a very young age.
The pair created the United MSD Foundation in 2016 in an effort to find a cure. “The United MSD Foundation is currently the only nationally recognized rare disease organization in the state of Mississippi,” says Race Chair Cara
Grittner. “It is estimated that 1 in 10 globally suffer from a rare disease, with only 5 percent of rare diseases having treatment options.”
When Willow was diagnosed, there was no viable treatment for MSD. However, fundraising efforts such
as the Zebra Run are working to change that. “With the collective effort of the community, there is now a viable treatment being created in the lab for Willow and others like her,” says Grittner. Last year’s event raised more than $35,000, helping
to funding Phase I of a clinic trial at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Jenna, Kylie and Willow Cannan, and Amber Olsen.
United MSD Foundation
2112 Bienville Blvd., Ste. B2, Ocean Springs | 228.447.4820 www.unitedmsdfoundation.org
22 | February 2020
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Beach Day at the Wheel Way includes fun activities such as yoga and games, and visits from special guests.