Chiari Malformation (kee-AR-ee) is defined as a congenital malformation in which the bottom of the brain (cerebellum) is crowded in the skull cavity, and forces the lower tips of the cerebellar hemi-spheres (tonsils) into the hole in the bottom of the skull. This causes blockage of cerebrospinal fluid flow from the cranial cavity into the spinal canal. In basic terms, the back of the brain is falling down into the spinal column! This can unfortunately cause a whole bunch of symptoms and problems, including headaches and blurry vision, to life threatening central sleep apnea, high intercranial pressure, and nerve damage. There is no cure for Chiari Malformation, and much research is needed to understand the delicate balance of the cerebrospinal fluid. To stop the damage Chiari can cause, and to help with symptoms, the only option is brain surgery. If you would like more information on Chiari Malformation, Syringomyelia, and other related conditions, please check out csfinfo.org. Local community members with Chiari, or with children with Chiari are heading up this local walk, to help raise awareness. "Watching my children struggle with pain on a regular basis will never be an easy thing to take,” says Melinda Crown, co-chairperson of the Canton unite@night walk, and mother of 2 children diagnosed with Chiari and related disorders. “One thing we hope for is more awareness and better research. We have to be our children's advocates and fight for better care. I want my children to have a day where Chiari does not weigh on them." Co-chairperson and mother of a child with Chiari, Amy Ionno-Carper adds, "The surgery to help stop the progression of Chiari malformation is sometimes not successful, and additional surgeries are needed. Our hope is that with more research, better techniques will be developed to help everyone who suffers with these disorder have better options for their pain." If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, or join in the unite@night walk, please visit our local Canton unite@night walk at unitenight.kintera.org/canton. We would love to see you there at Price Park on Friday June 21 at 6pm!