The walk begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Roosevelt Park in Edison.

The Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation will once again lace up their walking sneakers on Saturday for the 7th Annual Walk & Family Fun Day.

The day will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 at Roosevelt Park in Edison, and is free.

Donations will be accepted to benefit the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Woodbridge residents that raises awareness of the brain condition and money for a cure.

The day will include face painting, music, refreshments, “Jedi Knight Training” and appearances by characters from Star Wars, according to a press release from the organization.

Registration for the walk open at 10 a.m.

Contact Kimberly Illions at 732-634-1283 or kim@hydrocephaluskids.org for more information.

One of the many ways PHF raised awareness about Hydrocephalus in 2012 was through outreach. Speaking to people whenever the opportunity presented itself, whether informally or formally, helps the cause.

Last year, the PHF was able to reach out to a whole new community in New Jersey by speaking to numerous Freemason organizations across the State of New Jersey.

One of the members of the Freemason Society happens to be a Dad to a teenager with Hydrocephalus. Freddy Stein also serves as the Event Coordinator for the PHF in New Jersey.

Thanks to that connection, we were able to educate hundreds of people about Hydrocephalus and we were fortunate enough to be the recipient of many generous donations.

As we celebrate the beginning of a New Year, we also celebrate the Birthday of the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation.

Four years ago on January 9th, our dream became a reality. The Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, Inc. was officially “open for business.”

Thanks to your generous and continued support the PHF celebrated many successes and accomplishments in the year 2012.

We started off 2012 by launching a new initiative called PHF “Families First for Hydrocephalus.” This program introduced the PHF into hospitals around the Country and to families dealing with Hydrocephalus.

The PHF returned to Our Nation’s Capital in August for the 2nd Annual PHF Hydrocephalus Awareness Day on Capitol Hill. With over 70 attendees, representing 25 families and 14 States, the PHF met with the offices of over 40 Members of Congress to advocate, educate & raise awareness.

By the end of the day, it looked like everyone on Capitol Hill was wearing the PHF’s signature Hydrocephalus Awareness solid Light Blue bracelet or lapel pin!!

For September’s National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, the PHF introduced “Hydrocephalus Sibling Appreciation Day”, Siblings from 10 families were randomly chosen and were awarded a Family Night at the Movies, courtesy of the PHF, Inc.

In 2012, the PHF has awarded over $110,000.00 in grants and donations to Hospitals, Neuroscience Institutes and Medical Research Centers for Hydrocephalus Research & Education:

CHOC Foundation
Goodman Campbell Brain & Spine Foundation
Cameron Can Foundation
St. Cloud Hospital
Boston Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital Colorado
Yale-New Haven Children’s Hospital
Akron Children’s Hospital
Duke University Medical Center
Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children
Kona Community Hospital
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
University of Utah
University of Illinois at Chicago

The PHF, an all-volunteer 501 (c) (3) dues free non-profit charitable organization, now boasts thousands of members across the Country, with over 30 State Chapters, and more to come!

Aila Elmore, 5 months old of Indiana, and Matthew Elicea, 9 years old of California, will serve as the PHF’s 2013 Ambassadors for our “National Face of Hydrocephalus Awareness” Campaign, as we head towards the 5th Anniversary of Hydrocephalus Awareness Month in September.

WASHINGTON– Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) issued the following statement in support of September as National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month.

“Today we recognize September as National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. For too long, little attention has been paid to hydrocephalus.

I am certain that with federal support for additional research we can develop a better treatment, and eventually a cure, for those suffering from hydrocephalus and help them live healthier, fuller lives.”

In the House of Representatives, Lance is a founding member and co-chair of the Congressional Hydrocephalus Awareness Caucus and actively works to raise awareness of the disease.