Kat Walk in Wantagh to raise money for research into rare disorder affecting 2 Long Islanders

KAT6A is a rare disorder that affects only about 350 people in the world and two are right here on Long Island.

News 12 Staff

Oct 2, 2021, 12:29 AM

Updated 1,076 days ago

Share:

The Wantagh community will gather Saturday to raise money for research for a rare medical disorder.
KAT6A is a rare disorder that affects only about 350 people in the world and two are right here on Long Island.
The KAT6A gene mutation is a spontaneous mutation, not inherited, that results in physical and intellectual disabilities.
The first research paper on the disorder was published in 2015.
The disorder affects 6-year-old Will and 18-year-old Tommy, so residents will gather at Wantagh Park for the fourth annual walk called the Kat Walk.
"Obviously, when we found out it was shocking and devastating, Will was the first known case on Long Island and in all of New York state. We didn't really have much information to go by," says Aimee Reitzen, of Bellmore.
"We've been raising funds, we had a goal, we met that goal, we raised the goal, we met that goal, and it's a chance for everyone to gather together, connect, and celebrate all the successes of the two boys here on Long Island diagnosed with the disorder," says June Sayers, of Wantagh.
This year the Kat Walk has raised over $140,000 so far.
The money collected by the KAT6A Foundation will go toward research.
The walk is set to start at 10:30 a.m. with the area reserved for 100 people.