Walk for Shea - Home Page

After 11 years of having "The Walk for Shea," Shea and her family have decided that it is time to work on different venues as a means of raising funds for research for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Shea continues to raise funds for the cause. Her third Marvelous Mercer book, All Paws on Deck, is available for pre-order (www.marvelousmercer.com) and will be shipped on May 10th, after the book signing launch at FAO SCHWARZ, in New York City, on May 9, 2009. Shea is currently writing her fourth book. Proceeds from all her books help support Spinal Muscular Atrophy research, and Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit organization that provides highly trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge.

Shea has also been busy with community service, reading to the elderly at Nursing Homes and Assisted Living facilities. We want to support Shea with her goals and urge everyone to stay connected via her new website (www.marvelousmercer.com). Maybe you'd like her to come do a book signing at your school? Just log onto her website and contact her directly through her Blog.

Thank you for helping us celebrate this incredible child's journey over the last 11 years. Your support has been unyielding and I am forever indebted to you for helping me help Shea and others like her. The volunteers, too many to name, hopefully know how much they have been appreciated! This walk has helped raise over $250,000 for research and it was all possible because of neighbors, friends, local businesses and supporters like you.

We will keep this website up for a while, so that we can remain in touch and urge each of you to continue to support these great causes. If you'd like to contribute at any time, donations can be sent and made payable to:

The Shea Megale Fund Corporation
c/o 6302 Rockbridge Place
Centreville, VA 20120

Shea Megale is a beautiful little 13 year old girl who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). One in every 6,000 babies is born with SMA. Furthermore, one in every 40 people carries the gene that causes SMA. That means the child of two carriers has a 1 in 4 chance of developing SMA.

For the past 10 years, the "Walk for Shea" has been organized in an effort to raise public awareness about this illness and to, hopefully, find a cure. All proceeds raised from this event are dedicated to research for this disease which has no cure to date. The entire family can participate in this event - strollers and friendly dogs are welcome! The 10th Annual Walk for Shea, was held on April 29, 2007 -- Nearly 600 people participated and more than $20,000 was raised. To date the walk has raised close to $150,000.00 -- all of which has gone to to helping raise awareness of SMA and to help fund research.

Shea recently participated in fund-raising campaigns that raised money for two charities and matched a disabled soldier with a companion dog. Watch the video below, from a wounded war hero who now has a companion dog, thanks in part to Shea's fund-raising efforts.

(View Fullscreen)

For more information on Shea's latest fund-raising efforts, click on the article below:

Shea Assists Two Charities

The 11th annual "Walk for Shea" Megale was held on Sunday, April 27, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. at the Virginia Run Community Center. Although it was raining hard Saturday night the rain held off for the walk.

Shea is writing a series of books - all about what her Companion Dog, Mercer, does when she is asleep.

Click on the book cover to visit the Marvelous Mercer site and learn all about the books and how you can order your very own copy!

On Monday, September 22nd, Shea and Mercer appeared in the "Style" section of the Washington Post. The aricle "The Tale of a Dog," can be accessed on the NEWS page of this site or via the link below:

On Saturday, September 29, 2007, Shea Megale hosted a book signing at FAO Schwarz in NYC. Click on the image above to view photos from the event.

On Friday, September 27th, Shea, Mercer and Shea's mom were interviewed on the "Today Show" - Click on the link above to watch the interview

If you 'd like more information on the "Walk for Shea," please contact the Walk director, Mo Nieves. Donations can be sent and made payable to:

The Shea Megale Fund Corporation
c/o 6302 Rockbridge Place
Centreville, VA 20120

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