Charity Event to Raise $ for Prosthetic Pediatric Limbs

There are nearly 240 million children with disabilities in the world. Roughly 134 million of those are fortunate enough to have treatment…the remaining 106 million children must struggle with untreated disabilities.

For 21 years, ALTSO—A Leg to Stand On—has provided children in emerging countries with the prosthetic limbs and mobility care needed to move independently. Now they are announcing their 4th annual Move for ALTSO event, which celebrates Mobility Awareness Month, will take place from May 6-10, 2024. The goal is to raise sufficient funds to make a concrete difference in the lives of 100 of their “CoolKids.”

“We began the Move for ALTSO event during the pandemic so that people could move on their own and we could raise funds for our CoolKids,” said ALTSO’s Executive Director, Gabriella Mueller Evrard to OTW. “And importantly, we did it because most of us take movement for granted…and we don’t really understand its value until it is compromised.”

Move for ALTSO is sponsored by Right to Run, On’s social impact program, and features generous prizes for the lead movers and fundraisers. Event proceeds will help outfit children in emerging countries with prosthetic limbs and mobility care so they can participate in life to its fullest extent.

Many of life’s milestones involve mobility…baby’s first steps, walking into a classroom for the first time, diploma ceremonies, etc. For so many children these are just out of reach.

But country by country and child by child, ALTSO is making a difference. With 12 programs in 11 countries, this nonprofit works closely with local hospitals and non-governmental organizations to determine who is most in need of care.

“Over 95% of the approximately 106 million children in need of our services will never attend school…unless they receive help,” stated Mueller Evrard to OTW. “And for the children we are able to help, we ensure that local organizations and/or hospitals will continue to receive care as they grow. From the first day we connect with them until they are 21 years of age, we are a part of their lives.”

There are two ways to get involved in Move for ALTSO.

• MOVE With Us: From May 6th to May 10th, ALTSO volunteers will move 5,000 miles in 5 days. Volunteers are invited to sign up and walk, run, bike, swim, or roll. The pace and path are yours to choose. Here is where volunteers can sign up.
• MOVE On the Pickleball Court: On May 9th, volunteers can participate in a Pickleball round robin tournament at Court 16’s Manhattan location. Volunteers are invited to create a team or sign up as a free agent. Here’s the link to get involved.

The funds raised by ALTSO go toward the production of a specific modular prosthetic limb, designed by ALTSO—the Joshi. “We manufacture the Joshi in India for about $250…contrast this with the average cost of a prosthetic limb in the U.S.—$10,000,” says Mueller Evrard. “And, when a kid outgrows their prosthetic limb, instead of replacing the entire device, we can simply swap out the pylon.”

In addition, ALTSO supplies appropriately fitted wheelchairs. “You often see wheelchairs that are substandard and don’t align with the environment. In rural Nepal, for example. a wheelchair needs to be able to go through mud. All of the wheelchairs we provide are high-quality, World Health Organization certified, and individually selected for the terrains where our CoolKids live.”

To date, this wonderful organization has transformed the lives of 22,828 children—and their families.

OK, readers…YOUR move.

To get involved, please visit Move for ALTSO