Chi Omega sorority will walk one mile Saturday to help thosewhom suffer too much pain to walk themselves.
The sorority will raise money for researching Reflex SympatheticDystrophy during its "A Walk to Remember" at LaFollette Field.
The sorority began the walk last year after member AshleyMahoney was diagnosed with the incurable, neurological disease.
"Originally, (Chi Omega members) knew nothing about RSD, butthrough Ashley we have learned so much," senior Chi Omega memberEmily Yannuzzi said.
RSD occurs when the autonomic nervous system malfunctions,sending constant pain signals to the brain, according to the ReflexSympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association of America's Website.
Mahoney and others suffering from RSD often feel severe painfrom the slightest touch.
Lindsey Kirkpatrick, the walk's coordinator, lived with Mahoneylast year and said that sometimes Mahoney could not walk across thefloor.
The vibrations hurt her too much, Kirkpatrick said.
Last year Mahoney spent time in the hospital undergoing numeroussurgeries. At 19 years old, she had a stroke and was forced toleave Ball State and return to her hometown in Marietta, Ga.
But she has returned to the university and is taking a full loadof classes.
Mahoney, a major in music theater, dreams of one day having afamily, Kirkpatrick said.
"I learned in a short time that anything is possible if you juststep out and try," Mahoney said in a column she wrote on the RSDSAWeb site.
While at Ball State, Mahoney's sorority sisters and friends carefor her.
"We're her family away from her family," Kirkpatrick said. "Shehas been an inspiration to our sorority."
The walk will begin at 11 a.m., but people can register at 10:30a.m. The walk costs $7. The money will be donated to RSD research.Baseball T-shirts will also be sold for $12.
Last year the walk raised more than $3,000 for RSD research.
Kirkpatrick said Chi Omega does not have a monetary goal forthis year's walk. They just want to spread awareness about thedisease, she said.
"Last year $77,000 was raised for RSD research, and $7,000 ofthat came from Ball State," Kirkpatrick said.
Last year, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity donated earnings from itsannual Bike-a-Thon to RSD research, and greek organizations havealready donated $2,000 to this year's walk.
"I'm not doing this walk just for her," Kirkpatrick said. "I'mdoing it for everyone with RSD."
"A Walk to Remember," is not the only effort Mahoney has made tocreate awareness. She has helped the orange ribbon become theRSD-awareness ribbon. She has also made November RSD-awarenessmonth, Kirkpatrick said.
Marietta also holds a walk to support RSD research.
"I will always fight for a cure, because until a cure is found,the war is never over," Mahoney said in her column.
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