Brice Lawrence

        Spring starts the season in which people get their bodies ready for bikini season, and 5Ks are a great way for people to get toned, lose weight, and get in shape. This weekend holds an opportunity to do all of these things as the annual Live Rett Free 5K/walk will be held on Saturday and all benefits go toward those who suffer from Rett Syndrome.

The Rett syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system that reverses the development of certain areas such as speech and hand use. This syndrome is caused by a mutation of MECP2, and tells other genes when to turn on or off, possibly leading to apraxia, causing a disruption in every body movement, even eye gaze. This syndrome can last a lifetime, and as of now, there is no cure.

        Paige Jacobs, a senior at Van Buren, has been living with this debilitating syndrome for her whole life. The Jacobs family, with the help of family friends and the community, organizes the Live Rett Free 5K race every year at Riverside Park and benefits the International Rett Syndrome Foundation. The Van Buren football team, both coaches and players, along with other students, volunteer or run the race themselves, showing their support for Paige, and the urgency to find a cure.

The race takes place on May 3, starts at 9 a.m., and costs $20 for adults, and $15 for high school students and younger. Shirts cost $10 while they last. An alternate one mile fun run/walk will start at 10 a.m. Winners of individual age groups, as well as overall, will receive awards.