Spina Bifida fundraiser to be held this weekend

The Spina Bifida Association’s annual Bowl-a-thon was originally scheduled for April 30, the week of the tornado outbreak, but had to be rescheduled for this weekend.

The event will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at the Madison Bowling Center in Madison.

“Everybody has a disability, but they need to give our ability a chance,”said Kayla Beard, who has Spina Bifida.“So give us the ability to do what we can do.”

All proceeds are used for programs and services for people living with Spina Bifida in Alabama.

The event is being held to raise awareness about Spina Bifida, a neural tube defect that happens in the first month of pregnancy when the spinal columns does not close completely.

It is estimated that more than 160,000 Americans are affected by Spina Bifida, which is also the most common permanently disabling birth defect.

“This is my fourth participating and it really has been a lot of fun,” Beard said. “By attending these events, I’ve made new friends with Spina Bifida and I try to encourage everyone with Spina Bifida to get out there and live their life to the fullest.”

The event will also have the city’s local football league, the Rocket City Titans, face painting, a silent auction and raffles.

For more information, contact Stacey Courson, field service coordinator, at 256-682-0394.