SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – As a tribute to MADD’s 40th anniversary, the California State office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) will host its signature fundraising Walk Like MADD ceremony virtually on Saturday, October 10 beginning at 12:00 Noon on Facebook/Instagram/YouTube @MADDCalifornia. MADD asks you to join these meaningful virtual events and take a stand with #OneMADDCalifornia. Funds raised will support the continuation of MADD California to provide underage drinking programs and services at no cost to victims and families of drunk and drugged driving.

Walk, Like MADD has three main components:

Remember: We walk for those who no longer can and alongside those who are learning to walk again; Inspire: We walk empowered even when we feel powerless, as survivors when we have been victimized, and with purpose when we have lost our way; Commit: We walk with supporters who share our vision of No More Victims.

“We walk to finish the job that was started by a grieving mother in 1980. Now in our 40^th year, MADD has saved more than 390,000 lives and has served more than 840,000 victims,” said Pat Rillera, California State Executive Director. “Walk Like MADD will raise mission-critical funds to help save lives in our state.”

The timing for Walk Like MADD is significant because on August 11, an alleged drunk driver fatally struck a 35-week pregnant woman, Yesenia Aguilar, while taking an evening walk with her husband. Doctors were able to save and deliver the couple’s daughter, Adalyn Rose, by emergency C-section. According to DMV records, the drunk driver had prior DUI convictions. As a result of this crash, it heightens the need of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving to address the ripple effects of driving impaired.

Despite a nearly 50 percent decline in drunk driving deaths since MADD was founded in 1980, more than 10,000 people are killed by drunk driving, and another 290,000 are injured in drunk driving crashes every year. In fact, two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.

In 2018, 1,069 people in California were killed in drunk driving crashes. Nationwide, 10,511 lives were lost due to drunk driving, and another 300,000 people were injured in drunk driving crashes. Walk Like MADD gives victims and survivors a safe place to remember their loved ones and help raise mission-critical funds to help save lives and serve victims in the state of California.

There are other ways to participate in Walk Like MADD. Registration is $20.00 for youth, and $25.00 for adults.

Donate – Give to a virtual participant or a team to help them reach their fundraising goals; Sponsor – Consider becoming an official event partner. We have a variety of packages, and every dollar goes towards making our community safer.

Please visit your local area to register, donate, or get more information. You can complete your 5k by walking or running in your own neighborhood, community and parks anytime from October 3-October 10. Walkers and runners should post videos and pictures of their 5k and tag @MADDCalifornia on Facebook or Instagram.

WLM Sacramento: www.walklikemadd.org/sacramento; WLM San Francisco: www.walklikemadd.org/sanfrancisco

Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 390,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders, and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.