Special Thanks To All Who Purchased Raffle Tickets This Year!  Here are the winners!

• Jay Mathia, Plum PA – Thompson/Center Triumph .50 Caliber Magnum Inline Muzzleloader
• Mark Farrell, Crosby, PA – Winchester 30.06
• Bill Kersey, Clarion PA – $500 Gift Certificate to Sportsmen Outfitters
• Bill Corwin, Blossburg, PA -  $300 Medalist Gift Certificate
• Mark Ziegler, Seneca, PA – $300 Medalist Gift Certificate
• Mike Gampe, Hollidaysburg, PA – Summit Climbing Treestand
• Betty Ergler, Altoona, PA – Guided Fishing Trip on the Susquehanna or Juniata River
• Matt Crow, Franklin, PA – Plano Bow Case
• Alicia Peharski, Croudon, PA – Plano Bow Case

To read the complete list of prizes and sponsors, click here.

Special Thanks to Lebanon Valley Graphics for printing the raffle tickets – (717) 273-7913

MEET ALEX WILKINSON

The Pennsylvania Sportsmen Portal is proud to work with “Hunt Of A Lifetime” and provide a dream come true for a Pennsylvania Resident. This year we will be sponsoring a two very special people named Arianna Evans and Alex Wilkinson. Alex is from Western PA and has Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). His dream hunt is a Canadian Whitetail hunt. We hope you will all take part in helping make Alex’s dream a reality.

We will be raising money through donations and our awesome raffle with some great prizes. If you would like to dontate money, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@pasportsmenportal.com. Help us make these dreams come true!

A letter from Alex’s parents:

Alex was born on July 28, 1997. His life was pretty much the life of a normal kid through much of his early years, with a few exceptions. We noticed when he was about 5 years old that he would get tired very easily and often complained of some leg pain. Later on, we also noticed that he stumbled when he walked. Through many doctors’ appointments during the next four to five years, the message was always that he was growing, experiencing normal growing pains, and that he would “outgrow” it.

We finally decided in late 2007, when Alex who at 10 years old was unable to ride a bike or walk down steps while carrying his backpack, to see a specialist. The specialist then sent us to the neurology department at Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. There, Alex was put through many tests and for the first time we heard the words Friedreich’s Ataxia. Our worst fears came true on February 1, 2008 when he was diagnosed with the disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA).

Many people, like us, had never heard of Friedreich’s Ataxia. Through the doctors, and our own research we have found that Friedreich’s ataxia is a debilitating, life shortening and degenerative neuromuscular disorder. Onset of symptoms can vary from childhood to adulthood and can include loss of coordination (ataxia) in the arms and legs; energy deprivation and muscle loss; vision impairment, hearing loss, and slurred speech; aggressive scoliosis (curvature of the spine); diabetes mellitus; and a serious heart condition. Childhood onset of FA is usually between the ages of 5 and 15 and tends to be associated with a more rapid progression. Late onset FA (LOFA) can occur anytime during adulthood. While the mental capabilities of people with FA remain completely intact, the progressive loss of coordination and muscle strength in FA leads to motor incapacitation and the full-time use of a wheelchair. There is currently no treatment or cure for FA.

When we first talked to Alex about his diagnosis, he first wanted to know if it was contagious because he did not want to give it to his sister or family. He then took some time to learn about the disease. He did this mostly through a PowerPoint presentation that he presented to his entire elementary school during an assembly. Alex then approached us and told us that he had decided to take part in trying to find a cure for this disease. He helped organize two huge fundraisers during the spring and summer of 2008. In May, he organized a fundraiser at his school where they collected pennies, had a walk, and shoe races. Later on that summer, during the last weekend of June, he helped organize a community walk and silent auction for FA. All total, he raised over $33,000, which he has donated to FARA, an organization working to find a cure for FA. Currently, he is taking part in a research drug study at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital that hopefully, will slow the progression of FA.

Alex loves the outdoors. He enjoys camping so much that every summer, for his birthday, he wants to go camping at Prince Gallitzin State Park with his family. He has recently discovered (and is still discovering) a love for hunting. He loves turkey hunting with his uncle Mike and cousin Dusty during the spring, and then goes deer hunting with his dad and the rest of the clan during our rifle season each fall. With all of the unknowns and uncertainties facing his future, Alex feels like hunting can and will always be a huge part of his life.

One day I overheard my husband and father in-law discussing tying a rope around Alex’s waist to hoist him into the tree stand. Even though I stopped listening, because there are certain things a mom just doesn’t need to know, I knew then that with the support of his family and Alex’s strong personality, time in the woods would always be a part of Alex’s life.