Walk to raise Williams Syndrome awareness

A walk to raise awareness for Williams Syndrome, an uncommon developmental condition, will begin at Havre’s Town Square at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Williams Syndrome is a genetic condition that is present at birth and is characterized by medical problems including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays and learning disabilities, according to the Williams Syndrom Association.

“These occur with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities and an affinity for music,” a press release from the WSA reads.

Williams Syndrome affects 1 in 10,000 people worldwide.

The walk is being organized by Dottie and Stewart Wilson with their daughter, Keeley.

Keeley, 15, is diagnosed with Williams Syndrome. She had the idea to organize the walk to raise awareness for the condition while she was at a music camp for kids her age with Williams Syndrome and she was talking with others about walks they have had in their states.

After she decided to pursue the idea in January, the Wilsons worked through the necessary hoops with City Council and the fire department to get permissions to hold the event.

They then got the Williams Syndrome Association to help them out with the event.

This will be the first Williams Syndrome Awareness Walk in Montana, and the Wilsons said they hope it turns into an annual event that grows with time.

Dottie and Stewart have lived in Havre for 25 years, and Keeley has lived here her entire life.

Dottie said the support they have had from the community is outstanding.

“If half of the people who said they come show up, then it’ll be pretty successful,” Dottie said.

Dottie said there were about 80 people registered for the walk as of Tuesday.

The walk is about 1.3 miles long and will begin at Town Square. From there, the walk will go south on 3rd Avenue, east on 8th Street, north on 5th Avenue and then back to the square via 1st Street.

After the walk, there will be a barbecue.

Online registration for the event is finished, but those who would like to register can do so the day of the walk, beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Town Square until the walk begins.

At the event, merchandise provided by the Williams Syndrome Association will be sold with proceeds going back to the association.

Tonight, there will also be a fundraiser at Pizza Hut. Anyone who says they are donating to the Williams Syndrome Association when they pay for their meal will have 20 percent of their tab donated to the association.

“We want to say how grateful we are to the community for getting behind this,” Dottie said. “And thanks to all the businesses who have donated to it.”