Travis and Jennifer Bender of Center Township enjoy a picnic with their children, Leah and Luke. Leah was born with a rare genetic illness called Prader-Willi syndrome.

CRANBERRY TWP — The township on Saturday will again play host to One SMALL Step, a 1-mile family walk to raise funds and awareness of the fight against Prader-Willi syndrome.

The fundraiser was started last year by Jennifer and Travis Bender, whose toddler daughter Leah was born with the rare genetic illness. The Benders and their children, Luke, 4, and Leah live in Center Township.

Last year, the inaugural event raised $43,000. About 250 had walked through a weekend of torrential downpours.

“Our goal for this year is $20,000, and we are a little over half way there,” said Jennifer Bender.

“I think people should come to the walk because it's a free morning of family fun while supporting those with Prader Willi syndrome. The outpouring of support from the community last year was so touching, and I can't wait to share our story with them,” said Bender.

“The money raised will help fund much needed research to find a treatment for the constant hunger that Leah and others with PWS will have to endure her entire life.”

Prader-Willi syndrome is the most common genetic cause of childhood obesity, affecting 1 out of every 15,000 births.

PWS is a complex, life threatening medical disorder that affects the body's hormone system, muscle strength, cognition and learning, behavior and appetite, and pain, sleep and temperature regulation.

For someone with PWS, the feeling of fullness after eating does not exist. This is combined with a decreased metabolism requiring half the calories of a typical person of the same size and weight.

Leah was born at Butler Memorial Hospital and was taken by helicopter soon afterward to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she spent two months.

Her mother said Leah was a floppy baby who did not cry or have the strength to suck effectively for 6½ months. She went through numerous tests before the family heard the words Prader-Willi syndrome.

Shortly after her daughter was discharged, Bender promised herself she would not let this disorder define who Leah is and she would do all she could to eliminate the challenges that PWS presents.

“My hope is that Leah will someday be able to go to college, get married, and live an independent life. Without research and awareness, this will not happen for my daughter,” said Bender.

<b>WHAT: </b> Second One SMALL Step Walk, a 1-mile family walk to raise funds and awareness to fight Prader-Willi Syndrome<b>WHEN: </b> Registration begins at 9 a.m. Saturday with the walk following at 10 a.m. There will be a DJ, Zumba, basket raffle, a bounce house, the Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot, fire truck and 50/50 raffle<b>WHERE: </b> North Boundary Park, Cranberry Township<b>REGISTRATION: </b>Visit: www.onesmallstep.fpwr.org or sign-up at the walk<b>INFO: </b>E-mail at jbender724@gmail.com or call 724-822-3070