The race is on, you might say.  Winnfield’s Bo Walker corrects that a little by observing that the Ride Ataxia Dallas is a fundraiser bike ‘ride.’  But the fundraising ‘race’ is on for Kate’s Krewe which has set a goal of topping the $36,000 they raised last year before the Dallas event which is set for November 2.

At the center of Kate’s Krewe is Kate Walker, a senior at the University of Arkansas and daughter of Jason and the late Rachel Walker of Ruston.  Kate is 21 and was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia when she was 12.  With the support of friends and family, she’s formed Kate’s Krewe to help provide funding for research hoped to defeat this degenerative disease of the nervous system.

“This is the eighth year for the Krewe that had raised $193,000 for research so far,” explains Bo Walker.  “Our fundraising ‘race’ is not a quick one.  It’s slow and steady with folks giving a little here and a little there.”

The current drive is the Kate’s Krewe Bake Sale which will continue through the month of September.  To bake or buy, the contact is Kim Caldwell.  Contact via PM, text or call 318-332-1792.  Pickup will be at Winn Family Eyecare or 207 E. North Street.

Kate is the granddaughter of Jimmy and Helene Walker and Bo and Chris Walker, all of Winnfield.

The bike ride is offered at multiple distances, 50 miles, 25 miles or 6 miles and also offers a 1.5- mile walk for those who prefer.  There are four national “rideATAXIA” events, held annually in Gainesville, Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas. 

The next fund event for the Krewe will be a Spaghetti Dinner on October 10.  The Krewe is also selling Tee Shirts.