Fundraiser focuses on disease that killed Effort baby
Pocono Record | February 17, 2011 | By Howard Frank
The life of Violet Madison Wehrkamp was cut short at an age before children learn to walk. Now, in death, she will help others live.
Violet, from Effort, suffered from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It’s a rare genetic disease that affects the voluntary muscles used for basic activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control, and swallowing.
It affects approximately 1 in 6,000 babies and is the leading genetic killer of infants. It takes the life of about 13,000 children each year, many before they reach their second birthday.
Violet was born Feb. 18, 2010, and died Aug. 27, 2010. She lived for just six months and nine days.
Her uncle, Gary Wehrkamp of Stroudsburg, along with a group of businessmen called the Wishmakers, wanted to give meaning to Violet’s death by raising money for an organization that helps fund research and supports families affected by the disease.
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