Derrick Quijano of Hoffman Estates Gives Kicks for Cash to Raise Money for the Transverse Myelitis Association

Derrick Quijano of Hoffman Estates was an eighth grader when he and his family first heard of the rare neuro-immune disorder, Transverse Myelitis (TM). Today Derrick

is 30, but he still lives with residual effects of the disorder that left him paralyzed for several weeks before he began the long journey to recovery. Ultimately, he graduated from Schaumburg High School in 2002 and the Illinois Institute of Art in 2006 with a degree in Game Art and Design.

Derrick now hopes to help others with TM by raising funds for the Transverse Myelitis Association (TMA) and he's come up with a unique way of doing it: for every $5 donated to his campaign, he'll deliver a kick to a punching bag and record it on video for the donors to see.

The proceeds will go to the Second Annual Illinois Walk-Run-N-Roll for TMA to be held on October 5, 2014, in McCollum Park in Downers Grove, where Derrick will be a runner.

"2014 has spawned the year of challenges--such as the ice bucket challenge for ALS--so I'm doing my own," Derrick says. "The intention for the kicks is to display the work/challenge I go through living each day with the residuals of the disease. My right side is the weaker side, which is why I'm throwing right kicks exclusively," he said. He's been very successful; here's a link to the videos/donations Derrick has honored so far.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMXqL_qbojY0fLhyCGIVxrkw2xewjcSaS. He has raised $1,300 and the donations are still coming in.

"It's been a little over a decade since I've used my wheelchair or walking cane and I am continuing to show positive progress in handling any physical challenges due to my altered nerves," Derrick says. "More importantly, I've been able to accept and appreciate the emotional residuals that occur after a condition like this. I've had and still have the most incredible support system and I would like to do something to honor the work and care that others have put into me."

For more information about Derrick's fundraiser, go to his Crowdrise page at

https://www.crowdrise.com/derrickquijano-2014-Illinois-W. Derrick will be among the runners at this year's Walk-Run-N-Roll for the TMA, beginning with registration at 10 a.m. at McCollum Park, 6801 South Main Street, in Downers Grove, Illinois, on Oct. 5, 2014. The walkers, runners and rollers (using wheelchairs) will start at 11 a.m. on the 1.2-mile course.

For information about the Walk-Run-N-Roll, contact event Co-Chair Liz Beutel at thebaziles@aol.com or 630-922-5833.