JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Twenty-five teams raced in the 22nd annual Jacksonville Grand Prix Saturday, supporting a nonprofit that helps families living with Spina Bifida.
The teams competed in a six-hour race at the North Florida Kart Club in Jacksonville. During the race, teams rotate three go-karts with multiple drivers taking turns. Some of them drive 20-22 minutes per shift.
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This event raises over $10,000 for Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, a nonprofit that advocates for, educates and serves patients and families whose lives have been impacted by Spina Bifida.
“It is really a one-of-a-kind event. It was created 22 years ago in honor of my daughter Lindsay who was born with Spina Bifida. A family friend had reached out because he felt that our cause needed some exposure and needed to do it in a really unique way,” Spina Bifida of Jacksonville Executive Director Demery Webber said.
Spina Bifida is a Neutral Tube Defect (NTD) resulting from the failure of the spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy.
According to the organization, Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the country. An average of eight babies every day are born with Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine.
Chelsea Caudill, a go-kart driver for Team Spina Bifida of Jacksonville said she loves participating in this race.
“The community in general has given me nothing but support and love, and I kind of just realized the need in the disability community for awareness and advocacy, and things aren’t going to happen without advocacy,” Caudill said.
Family Medicine Doctor Christopher Scuderi called this race one of the most fun days of the year.
“It’s an awesome organization and a fun event. It’s a great chance to be a kid for a day,” Scuderi said.