They had hoped to raise $15,000 but with widespread support, an Espanola family will be donating nearly $50,000 towards ongoing research into rare children’s diseases.
Alex and Kelsey McKechnie of Espanola’s daughter, Iris Mae, was diagnosed with Infantile Onset Pompe when she was three months old.
The two, with the support of several local organizations including emergency services, Lions and Elks Clubs and others, hosted the Skate-A-Thon this past Saturday at the oval at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex.
There were several raffles, children’s activities, skiing at Boogie Mountain and more throughout the day helping the family to celebrate a successful event.
They thank the wider community and all the supporters for their generosity, with the funds going to the Duke University’s Clinical and Research Pompe Fund and CORD, the Canadian Organization for Rare Diseases.
