By Rosalind Russell – An Espanola family is giving the community a huge thank you for taking in the annual Pompe I.M. Rare & Aware Skateathon.
Parents, Alex and Kelsey McKechnie, were at the complex throughout the day on Saturday greeting people and taking part in their event which is raising funds for the McMaster Children’s Hospital Pompe Disease Research Fund.
Their daughter, Iris Mae, was diagnosed with the disease shortly after her birth, and the couple decided to take on the task of raising funds for ongoing research.
Pompe disease is a rare genetic disorder that causes a buildup of glycogen, a type of sugar, in the body’s cells, leading to muscle weakness and other serious health issues.
Although the final numbers are not in, there were several hundred people taking in the skating, sliding, children’s games, barbecue and raffle.
Over the last three years, they have raised well over $150,000 to support rare disease research.
Photos by Rosalind Russell and additional photos provided by Patricia Drohan, Winners list provided by Espanola Lions Club
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