Community Corner

Hope for Hayden Walks on Despite the Rain

Washington Park math teacher Janis Saidler and a group of about 20 students and other teachers walked Thursday from Park to Jefferson Lighthouse to call attention to biliary atresia, a deadly liver disease affecting Saidler's son, Hayden. Walkers went east down 12th Street and north on Memorial Drive to 6th Street and a rousing reception from Hayden's class at Jefferson. Snacks and water were provided by Malicki's Piggly Wiggly on Washington Avenue. Saidler didn't seem disappointed with the turn-out, acknowledging the late date in the school year and the weather. Still she plans to host another event next year. "Timing wasn't great," she noted. "But students are interested in helping so we'll do another walk next year and maybe ask every class at Jefferson to participate instead of just the one class." Biliary atresia is rare, affecting only one in 10,000 children.


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