Community Corner

Whiz Kid: Middle Schooler Takes a Walk For Cystic Fibrosis

Alexa Wilson, 12, raised nearly $300 as part of an $80,000 effort in a recent fundraiser.

Whiz Kid: Alexa Wilson

School: Riverhead Middle School

Accomplishment: Walked and raised over $300 for cystic fibrosis research.

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Key to awesomeness:  As of about six weeks ago, 12-year old Alexa Wilson had never heard of cystic fibrosis, a genetic lung disease that affects approximately 30,000 Americans.

After hearing about a group of family friends who were walking in a– a disease that has affected their son James Stewart – Alexa jumped on board the team to help James' Mighty Walking Warriors, the team of nearly a dozen people walking for James.

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Since then, not only has she been able to learn more about the disease herself, but  also to provide information to others who may not know as much about it.

"It feels good knowing that I'm making a difference," said the Riverhead middle school student. "And I'm raising awareness so other people can help out as well. I plan on doing it next year and keeping at it."

The Great Strides Walk raised over $80,000, with about $300 coming from the efforts of Alexa.

Alexa is the daughter of Dawn Betke, who served on Riverhead Patch's Mom Council and now writes for several Patch sites in the area.


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