Contact:

Bryan Alaspa

K Squared Communications, Inc.

773 774 7847

balaspa@ksqrd.com      

Immediate Release

Local Experts and Companies Collaborate to Fight

Birth Defects from Fetal Alcohol Specturm Disorder:

F.A.S.T. Ride 150-mile Motorcycle Tour and Barbeque Set for August 17

 
 

CHICAGO – July 23, 2008 - – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder affects 40,000 infants a year, more than Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome and Muscular Dystrophy combined, yet it is a relatively unaddressed issue.  "Even with an increase in efforts to promote prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure and research examining the effects of exposure on development, prenatal in utero exposure to alcohol continues to be a significant and complex public health concern”, said Mia Gregor, Psy.D., clinical psychologist with the Center for Personal Development in Chicago, IL and FASTeam board member. 

One of the key fundraisers is the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Tour, a scenic 150-mile trip through rural western suburbs that will be held this year on Sunday, August 17.  With all intersections blocked by local police, an anticipated 500 motorcycles will depart on this nonstop tour at 9:30AM from Galway’s Bar & Grill on Roosevelt Road in Elmhurst, Illinois and ride to the Moose Lodge in Morris, Illinois.  After a light lunch, the group will return to Galway’s Bar & Grill at 3:00 PM for a post-ride party that will include riders and other FASTeam supporters.  The post ride party will include a dinner buffet, a live band and raffles featuring a 2008 Harley-Davidson Super-Glide. 

“We started the ride in 2004 and it has grown every year,” said Walt Teichen, Chairman of the FASTeam Board of Directors and who co-founded the organization in 2003 with his wife Kathy.  “Our family has been dramatically impacted by FASD and we are committed to help other families and FASD individuals get the help they need.  The mission of the FASTeam is to raise awareness of and aid in the prevention of FASD and the motorcycle ride is one of the many ways we reach so many people while raising funds for the cause.” 

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term that describes the different outcomes that can occur if a woman drinks alcohol while pregnant.  FASD includes the diagnoses of:

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS),
• Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE),
• Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (PFAS),
• Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND), and
• Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD). 

Each differs in terms of physical, mental, and behavioral disabilities and can include learning disabilities, mental retardation, hyperactivity and behavior problems. 

The U.S. Surgeon General recommends several steps to avoid alcohol-related birth defects, including:

• A pregnant woman should not drink alcohol during pregnancy
• A pregnant woman who has already consumed alcohol during her pregnancy should stop in order to further minimize risks.
• A woman who is considering becoming pregnant should abstain from alcohol.

“FAS was first recognized by the U.S. Surgeon General in 1981, but I had never heard of it before being introduced to the FASTeam.  I think lack of awareness of this completely preventable birth defect can be overcome and we can have an important and positive effect on families nationwide,” said Kate Koziol, president of K Squared Communications and newly elected Board Member for the FASTeam and F.A.S.T. Ride sponsor.   

Other F.A.S.T. Ride sponsors in addition to K Squared include DKM Insurance Advisors, Galway’s Bar & Grill, Geico Insurance, Illinois Harley-Davidson, Law Tigers, Meritan Health, Peerless, Personal Preference, Inc., SportDecals, TCF Bank, Mikes Meat Market and Deli, DuPage Honda - Yamaha. 

About FASTeam

 

#  #  #