This September we invite you to join us for a 5km fun run (in Saskatoon at Gabriel Dumont Park Sept.19, 9:30am check-in & warm-up, 10am start; or Virtually - select "JOIN" to the right to sign up) or to donate via this link to support the International FOXP1 Foundation. Note: If you donate $1 on top of your race fee you should be able to select "Team Luka's Lightening" and your race fee will show as part of the fundraising goal for our Saskatoon event.

When he was one, Luka was diagnosed with FOXP1 Syndrome, an extremely rare neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect motor, neurological, speech, and organ development. The diagnosis came with many unknowns, especially as we thought about the future, but it also provided an explanation for the many medical complexities that he had been experiencing. Luka has now racked up well over 150 hospital appointments, over 100 SLP, OT, or PT therapy appointments, and a handful of surgeries in his first few years of life. While Luka is the only one in Saskatchewan that we know of with his specific condition, and about a dozen in Canada, the diagnosis still brought some comfort and answers as we started to connect with a global community of people across the world with his rare condition. We're so thankful for the entourage of doctors, specialists, and therapists that support Luka as he bravely tackles new challenges and we're also thankful for this foundation which is advocating for more awareness, helping to support and connect families, and supporting research activities that will enhance our understanding of how to best support those with FOXP1 syndrome.

Luka's name means light and he certainly has taught us a lot about finding the light in any circumstance. His smile can light up a room and he really is our fearless little fox!  While the journey we’re on is not one we would have ever imagined, we also never imagined the amazing people who would be there to walk (or perhaps in this case run) along with us.

Thank you for supporting this wonderful cause. Every step you take, every dollar you raise, and every story you share helps advance research, provide resources, and strengthen the FOXP1 community worldwide.