The Spina Bifida Association of Colorado will hold its Mother's Day 5K Walk Run & Roll Sunday, May 11, 2008 in Washington Park, Denver. We will meet in the Mississippi St. Parking lot for all of our activities and for the Finish Line fun and excitement.

"This year's event is shaping up to be our best ever," says Marie Arroyo, SBA of Colorado Board President. "We'll have more participants with more ways to raise money and support SBAC this year. We will also have information booths, activities for all ages, food, fun and entertainment."

Since 2001, SBAC has held this event not only as a fundraiser for the organization, but also to bring as many people affected by spina bifida in Colorado together and educate the public on what Spina Bifida is how it affects those living with it everyday... and how to reduce the incidence of neural tube birth (spinal cord) defects by promoting the use of folic acid by all women of child bearing age. The event has grown steadily and continually draws more participants, sponsors and public awareness. More and more people actually know what Spina Bifida is.

Spina Bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. Spina Bifida occurs at the end of the first month of pregnancy when the two sides of the embryo's spine fail to join together, leaving an open area. In some cases, the spinal cord or other membranes may push through this opening in the embryo's back. The condition can typically be detected before a baby is born and treated right away (SB can never be cured, but it can be managed). Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect.

We are very focused on the idea of teams and group participation this year. We believe that "teamwork" is the best way to publicize the event, get more people involved and bring our public education message and fundraising capacity to more people in Colorado. So form a team, either on behalf of one individual, one program or to benefit the Spina Bifida Association of Colorado as a whole. General income raised from the 5K Walk, Run and Roll go to support SBAC age appropriate support groups and events, scholarships for conferences & training programs, outreach, public awareness & other programs.

Women of childbearing age

There are approximately 1 million women of childbearing age in the State of Colorado.

There are about .5 million women of childbearing age in Denver alone.

Hispanic population

Hispanic women in the U.S. have from 1.5 to 2 times higher risk of delivering babies with neural tube defects than non-Hispanic Whites.

In Colorado, an estimated 19 percent of the population (.9 million) is of Hispanic origin.

Rates of Spina Bifida

Babies with Spina Bifida are being born at a rate of 3.13 per 10,000 births in the state of Colorado (data collection period: 1999-2003).

Based on this national estimate of a total of 70,000 Americans with Spina Bifida and the birth rate of Spina Bifida, there could be about 1,500 people living with Spina Bifida in the state of Colorado.

Spina Bifida and folic acid

Women of childbearing age can reduce the risk of Spina Bifida for less than a few pennies a day. If women of childbearing age were to take 400 micrograms of the B-vitamin folic acid every day and before pregnancy, the risk of Spina Bifida other serious birth defects could be reduced by up to 70%. This amount of folic acid is found in almost all multivitamins.

Since most pregnancies in the U.S. are not planned, the Spina Bifida Association (SBA) encourages women to take 400 mcg of folic acid every day, even if not thinking of having a baby.

For more information, go to our website at www.coloradospinabifida.org or sign up at: www.active.com and search for Spina Bifida Mother's Day 5K Walk, Run and Roll

Ready, Set, Go.........................!!!!!