Redvers Walk and Roll for Muscular Dystrophy an incredible success
June 16, 2025, 12:26 pm
Angela Ulrich
The rain and the cold could not dampen the spirits of those who attended the 2025 Walk and Roll for Muscular Dystrophy in Redvers on June 8. The event was an opportunity to come together to support individuals with Muscular Dystrophy and raise awareness. This fundraiser also helps provide critical funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada’s programs and services.
What is Muscular Dystrophy?
Muscular Dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle. There are many kinds of muscular dystrophy. Symptoms can begin in childhood and other types don’t surface until adulthood. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy. Medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and sometimes slow the course of the disease.
Katie Eilers’ journey with Muscular Dystrophy:
Katie Eilers is the daughter of Dawn and Jeff Eilers of Redvers. As a child Katie participated in tap and jazz dance, Can Skate, soccer, baseball and was able to ride a bike. At age 15 she suffered a knee injury that was not healing as fast as it should with therapy. After seeing an orthopedic surgeon Katie and her parents were told there was a bigger issue than the knee injury. After several assessments and medical testing, Katie was diagnosed at age 17 with Megaconial Congenital Muscular Dystrophy.
Now, at age 22 she is only able to take two to three steps with support to do transfers due to mobility loss in both legs, deterioration in her arms and hands, she and copes with pain and neuropathy in her legs and feet. She continues to see a medical team of specialists to monitor her heart, lungs and other organs that could possibly be affected.
Katie Eilers is a member of Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
“In the past our family has depended on some of the programs and services offered,” Dawn Eilers explains. “When Katie began using a wheelchair, Muscular Dystrophy Canada helped fund the lift that needed to be installed in our home as well as a portable ramp for us to take along to use in places that are not accessible. We have also accessed many resources through the organization to help us navigate Katie’s diagnosis.
“A few years ago, when we were first asked if we would like to participate the event titled ‘Walk for Muscular Dystrophy,’ that did not “sit well with Katie as she found it strange it was called a walk!
“The next year when we were asked about participating and we were told the event had been renamed to ‘Walk and Roll,’ this she was excited about!
“With the help of friends and family ‘Katie’s Krew’ was formed, and our team of 20 headed to Regina to participate. This was a great opportunity for us to see what the event was about. It gave us the chance to meet with others young and old who also have Muscular Dystrophy or support a loved one with the disease.
“The two Walk and Roll events in Saskatchewan are held in Regina and Saskatoon. When registration opened for 2025, Katie made the decision for us to do a ‘hosted event’ in conjunction with Muscular Dystrophy Canada instead of making everyone travel.”
Fundraising totals have not been finalized but the event has well surpassed the initial goal, with plans in place for hosting the event again in Redvers next year.
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