TRILLION TREE SCOUT CORPS ANNOUNCES MIRACLE DRUG CAMPAIGN
Description: T.T.C., MIRACLE DRUG CAMPAIGN TO HELP FIND CURE FOR ATAXIA SCA17 WILL BE A PART OF ALL OF OUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS MOVING FORWARD.
Trillion Tree Corps is passionately committed to helping Otem Smole, our Scout Banner Campaign leader since 2021, find a cure for Ataxia SCA17, a rare and deadly form of Ataxia (less than 1000 people in the U.S. have it) and genetically passed disease that she has had her entire life. We will be placing collection bins at all of our Tour, Hero Honors, and Treehouse COBRA and Woodstocked events to help raise money for her expenses (50%) and helping find a cure by donating the rest to the Ataxia Foundation (50%) to find treatments and a cure.
From the Mayo Clinic:
Ataxia describes poor muscle control that causes clumsy movements. It can affect walking and balance, hand coordination, speech and swallowing, and eye movements. Ataxia usually results from damage to the part of the brain called the cerebellum or its connections. The cerebellum controls muscle coordination. Many conditions can cause ataxia, including genetic conditions, stroke, tumors, multiple sclerosis, degenerative diseases and alcohol misuse. Certain medicines also can cause ataxia.
Treatment for ataxia depends on the cause. Devices such as walkers and canes might help maintain independence. These also are called adaptive devices. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and regular exercise also might help.
Pinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17) is a rare and fatal subtype of type I autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA type I; see this term). It is characterized by a variable clinical picture which can include dementia, psychiatric disorders, parkinsonism, dystonia, chorea, spasticity, and epilepsy.
From Steele Smith: I have personally gotten to know Otem since our first Celebration of Heroes Veteran hero Tree planting event in La Junta, Colorado four years ago. She volunteered to help me plant trees, color banners, and help with set up and cleaning before and after that event - as well as the four events that followed in that area since then. She even has traveled to other Colorado Honor Event sites to assist me. All by the age of 13.
Since that day, she has helped me through our first five years of T.T.C., both personally and professionally. I intend to Pay (and Plant!) It forward by helping her and others battle and defeat this terrible disease. The name "Miracle Drug" came to me by watching a video of a U2 song with the same name on the same subject (finding a miracle Drug).
