Hundreds Enjoy Sunny Day As They Walk For Abby

More than 500 people participated in the Hope Flies Walk For Abby Saturday in East Windsor.

The three-mile walk through the Broad Brook section of East Windsor was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd and beautiful weather.  Walkers started at traveled Rye Street north to Main Street, right at Depot Street, right on Perry Lane, right on Reservoir Avenue and ended at .

Some people ran and others pushed baby strollers as they walked. The walk was initiated by Carol and Joseph Sauerhoefer in 2011, the parents of four-year-old Abby Sauerhoefer, who suffers from mitochondrial disease.

The walk was to raise money for The Foundation for Mitchondrial Medicine, which does research to advance treatments for autism, Alzheimer’s, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s. Last year’s goal was to raise $10,000 and about $40,000 was raised.

According to the Foundation for Mitochondrial Medicine, Mitochondrial disease means the power plants in cells don't function properly. When that happens, some functions in the body don't work normally. It's as if the body has a power failure: there is a gradation of effects, like a 'brown out' or a 'black out'.

Abby was diagnosed with the disease after two years of testing. She had suffered from various problems from the time she was born. Her parents felt that they could do more to help her by raising money for researching her disease.

Carol Sauerhoefer said Saturday was nice day and people truly seemed to enjoy the activities after the event, which include refreshments, a DJ and a raffle.

“It is pretty close to last year’s numbers,” Carol Sauerhoefer said. “What else can I say, it’s just overwhelming again.”

As of Thursday, $25,000 had been raised for the event. On Saturday, an additional $8,000 was raised through raffle tickets and onsite registrations, Patty Cota, Abby’s aunt, said.

Joe Sauerhoefer said the event went well and was heavily attended even though it happened during the schools' spring vacation week.

“We sold every raffle ticket we brought,” Joe Sauerhoefer said.

He said he was amazed by the support of the town’s business community, the despite the current economy. Businesses donated money and prizes for the raffle as well.