Falcons help promote MDA Muscle Walk

Milwaukee

When Alverno College hosts the Falcons in a women's basketball game this Wednesday night both teams will be doing their part to help promote the 2011 Milwaukee MDA Muscle Walk.

The Inferno and Falcon women will be sporting special MDA T-shirts during warm-ups to show their support and raise awareness. Additionally, there will be raffles and other prizes with proceeds benefiting the Muscle Walk. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip off at Reiman Gymnasium.

The MDA Muscle Walk is a series of local walk events across the country held to pay tribute to and raise funds for children and adults served by the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The walks are family-oriented gatherings and light exercise for everyone -- children, adults, grandparents, students, corporate teams and more. Milwaukee's event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Milwaukee Sports Complex.

The event has special meaning to Alverno assistant coach Jenny Imhoff, whose daughter, Reagan, is the Wisconsin MDA Ambassador. Reagan, 5, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) shortly after her first birthday. SMA is a motor neuron disease that affects the voluntary muscles that are used for activities such as crawling, walking, head and neck control and swallowing. "Reagan's had a lot of fun this year coming to practices and coming to some games," Jenny said. "It's really great to see the interaction the players and her have with each other.

"The support from the Alverno Athletics staff and students-athletes has been really special to our family. We're thankful Coach [Brad] Duckworth, Coach Brunner-Jones and both teams will share in the opportunity to bring awareness to SMA and all the great things MDA does for the community and its clients. And thanks to [Alverno assistant coach] Nicole Kopacz for organizing this event." Jenny and Concordia head coach Stacey Brunner-Jones played together on the same AAU basketball team in their high school playing days.

"We are honored to be a part of something so meaningful to the Alverno women's basketball family," Brunner-Jones said. "Sometimes we all get caught up in the wins and losses, but little 5-year-old Reagan reminds us what is most important to our health and families. Hopefully this event brings more awareness to the MDA Muscle Walk and its mission."

Donations will also be accepted at the admissions table, or online donations can be made online to receive a tax deductable receipt.

Sign-up or donate to the MDA Muscle Walk: https://www.joinmda.org/milwaukeemusclewalk2011/RallyforReagan Reagan's Website: http://www.raly4reagan.com