Downing donuts for a good cause

Wilkes & McHugh was proud to be a sponsor for The Half Dozen Donut Run in Sarasota, Florida, this summer. The event, which featured 10K and 5K races, was created to raise awareness for childhood apraxia of speech. Those competing in the 10K Donut Challenge ran a 5K, stopped to eat a half dozen donuts, and then finished the final 5K while sporting a special donut headband declaring their epic feat!

Apraxia is a neurological condition where the person afflicted can find it difficult to make certain motor movements even though their muscles are normal. In apraxia of speech, the brain struggles to develop plans for speech movement. The speech muscles aren’t weak, but they don’t perform normally because the brain has difficulty directing or coordinating the movements, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Proceeds from the event benefited Apraxia Kids, a non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen the support systems for children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) so that each child can get the best opportunity to develop speech and optimal communication skills. W&M attorney Lisa Tanaka’s nephew has the condition, and her family learned first hand how critical early diagnosis and access to therapy can be.

“There are [developmental] guidelines for a reason,” Lisa’s sister, Amy, told the Sarasota Observer. “If your child doesn’t fit, it should be cause for concern. My advice for parents would be ‘Yes, worry. Be concerned.'” 

Learn more about the condition and how you can help by visiting the Apraxia Kids website at https://www.apraxia-kids.org/.