LITTLE LAKE — An event to raise awareness of Friedreich ataxia will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Throttle Bar and Grill in Little Lake.

A local woman, Julie Vallier, was recently diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare neuromuscular disease that currently has no treatment and no cure, a press release states. The symptoms are loss of coordination, fatigue, vision impairment, hearing loss, slurred speech, aggressive scoliosis, diabetes and serious heart conditions. Typically, within five to eight years of onset of symptoms, the ability to walk unassisted is lost.

Though Vallier is not going down without a fight, event organizers said, and has set some lofty goals for herself. She has formed a cycling team, The Yooper Road Warriors, and her goals are:

≤ Raise awareness of Friedreich’s ataxia

≤ Get The Yooper Road Warriors to Rideataxia in Chicago in July 2019

≤ Raise $10,000 for Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance to join in the fight to find a cure

Bucket prizes valued between $50 and $700 will be at the fundraiser. There will be a picnic-style buffet lunch put on by The Throttle Bar and Grill.