Laurie Valenzuela is hoping hundreds of people will turn out this Saturday to walk for her older brother, who can no longer walk on his own.

Her brother, Keith Peterson, was left paralyzed from the chest bone down after the four-wheel ATV he was riding flipped over on him this summer.

The fundraiser is designed to help defray the costs that his new life will require.

``His medical costs, even with insurance, are going to be astronomical,'' said Valenzuela, who lives in Davie. ``He needs a motorized wheelchair because he is paralyzed from the chest bone down.''

The event, called the Friends Helping Friends 5K Walkathon 4KEITH fundraiser, will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Volunteer Park in Plantation.

All proceeds will go to help Peterson, who needs a motorized wheelchair along with renovations, including ramps, to his home, and a specialized medical van with a lift. The wheelchair alone can cost at least $20,000.

``As he begins his new life as a paraplegic, there are so many expenses like this he will incur,'' Valenzuela said.

Peterson, who is 52 years old, lives in Ocala now, but he has South Florida roots.

One of five siblings, he is a graduate of Coconut Creek High School. His father, the late Dale Peterson, was Davie's police chief from 1973-80.

His sister, Valenzuela, a graduate of South Plantation High School, has been getting the word out about the event on Facebook and is finding many old friends who want to help.

``Meet him once, you are his friend and I think that is why there are so many people ready to support him,'' Valenzuela said.

On July 2, Peterson, who is a salesman for U.S. Foods, was riding a four-wheeler around the woods near his North Georgia cabin. As he drove up a hill he had traveled many times, the four-wheeler flipped, he fell off and it landed on his back.

``Instantly, he couldn't move,'' Valenzuela said.

Rescue helicopters flew Peterson to a trauma center in Chattanooga, Tenn., where doctors determined he had broken his back and injured his spinal cord. He was later transferred to a rehab center in Atlanta, where he will be treated at least through the end of this month, depending on his progress.

The family is heartened by the fact that their brother did not suffer any head trauma, and still has the use of his hands. They've been encouraged by the outpouring of support from family and friends in the area, particularly at St. Mark Catholic School and Church in Southwest Ranches, where Valenzuela worships.

``It's my brother and we are devastated and heartbroken. But whatever we can do to help him, to let this be a little easier, we will do,'' she said.

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