An event is planned to raise funds and awareness about a disease impacting a local child, believed to be one of only a few hundred in the world living with the condition.
Dawson’s Army Walk for BBSOAS will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Locust Park.
The walk benefits the NR2F1 Foundation and is organized by the Russelburg family of Oakboro.
Five-year-old Dawson Russelburg was born with a rare genetic disorder of the NR2F1 gene called BBSOAS.
BBSOAS (Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf Optic Atrophy Syndrome) is a neurological disorder created by by a disruption in the NR2F1 gene, according to information from the Russelburg family.
Characteristics include visual impairment, seizures, autism, developmental delay and intellectual disability.
It is estimated to impact 1 in 250,000 babies born each year, according to a fund created by the Russelburg family.
Individuals can donate at givebutter.com/DawsonsArmy.
Nine percent of their $25,000 goal had been reached as of Monday afternoon.