Genetics Foundation to Donate Adapted Bikes to Charlotte-Area Children with Genetic Conditions During Day of Caring

Children living with genetic or mitochondrial disease in Charlotte, North Carolina, will soon be able to ride new adapted bikes donated by the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine during a special Day of Caring, as part of the ACMG’s 2018 Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting and Conference.

Children from the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF), Little People of America (LPA) and the Piedmont
Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency can attend the Day of Caring at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 13, at the Charlotte Convention Center, Exhibit Halls BC, to try the 20 new adapted bicycles and to enjoy a full day of fun.

“We are so extremely grateful to ACMG for choosing UMDF families to receive these wonderful bicycles,” Charles A. Mohan, Jr., chief executive officer and executive director of the UMDF, said in a press release. “We all have mitochondria. Mitochondrial disease occurs when cells do not produce enough energy. We know exercise helps keep our mitochondria healthy, so this generous gift of bicycles is very much appreciated”.

The ACMG Foundation, a nonprofit foundation based in Bethesda, Maryland, supports education, research and other programs and resources to translate genetic research into better health for all individuals.

Each year, the foundation hosts the ACMGF Day of Caring event during ACMG’s Annual Meeting, in collaboration with other partners. The Day of Caring organizers partner with local non-profit organizations to provide adaptive bicycles for children living with genetic disorders.

“The ACMG Foundation has had a tradition of many years of contributing to the community of children who deal with genetic conditions every day of their lives,” said Bruce R. Korf, MD, PhD, FACMG, president of the ACMG Foundation. The annual Day of Caring underscores the foundation’s “commitment to improving the lives of all persons who deal with genetic disorders,” he added.

“We are happy to be partnered with American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics in providing smiles to clients who have sickle disease and who may not otherwise have received a bike,” said Kathy Moore Norcott, MS, MPA, Executive Director at Piedmont Health Services and Sickle Cell Agency.

Children from LPA took part in last year’s Day of Caring. “We were able to see the happiness and delight from the children who received these adapted bicycles last year,” said Michelle Kraus, director of advocacy at LPA. “We know that being able to ride a bike that has been fitted comfortably to each child provides wonderful fun, great exercise and a real boost for the children’s self-esteem.”

Adapted bikes make cycling accessible to all. There are a wide range of special bikes that suit people with a variety of disabilities or health issues.

For more information, check out Cycling UK’s “Guide to adapted cycles for inclusive cycling.”