PHOTO CONTRIBUTEDJosie Miller is pictured in a recent run at Lakeland High School for pledges to contribute to the Armenian children with the phenylketonuria (PKU) disorder. This Saturday Miller has organized a benefit car wash in the parking lot of the First Church of God, located at 777 N. Detroit St., in LaGrange to benefit the Armenian children.
LAGRANGE — Local residents can help children with PKU in Armenia and get a clean car at a fundraising event in LaGrange Saturday.
A car wash will take place at the First Church of God, 777 N. Detroit St. (Ind. 9 North), LaGrange from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the children of Armenia affected with phenylketonuria (PKU) disorder.
Organizer for the event, Josefina Miller of LaGrange, is known for her participation in and organizing benefit races. She said that volunteer runners had also completed a race in LaGrange Sept. 5, with proceeds directed to the PKU children affected in Armenia. “There is also a high rate of PKU diagnosed in LaGrange County, as well,” she noted.
Those wishing to contribute and not able to attend the car wash should contact the church for further information.
According to Wikipedia, PKU is genetic disorder involving impaired metabolism of phenylalanine, one of the amino acids. Phenylketonuria can build up in the blood and brain to toxic levels, affecting brain development and function.
PKU is an inherited disease. However, for a child to inherit PKU, both of his or her parents must have at least one gene mutation.
Left untreated, PKU can lead to intellectual disability, seizures and other serious medical problems. The damage done to the brain if PKU is untreated during the first months of life is not reversible.