CELEBRATE LIFE: STEP AHEAD'S 1ST ANNUAL 5K WALK/ RUN ON APRIL 10TH TO SUPPORT THE LOEYS-DIETZ SYNDROME FOUNDATION
Step Ahead Weight Loss Center is sponsoring Celebrate Life, its first annual 5K Run/Walk to raise awareness for the Loeys-Dietz syndrome Foundation. Loey-Dietz syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that causes the walls of the arteries to weaken and leads to the development of potentially fatal aneurysms. All the proceeds from the event will help raise funds for Loey-Dietz syndrome Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the education and awareness of this syndrome.
As many of you many know, this syndrome is very near and dear to our hearts at Step Ahead since it has tragically afflicted the family of our nurse, Joan Olszyk. The lives of her husband, daughter and son were lost to this syndrome. Her third and only remaining child, who has also been diagnosed with Loeys-Dietz is receiving care at Johns Hopkins Hospital. We are hoping to raise awareness about this syndrome throughout our community and hopefully help prevent further tragedy within our community and beyond.
Also, this event is a celebration of the strength and perseverance that Joan and her family have demonstrated throughout these tragedies. Insight into their family’s story and their capacity to persevere and survive through these tragic losses is a lesson that celebrates the strength of family and love of life. To this day, Joan is the consummate professional and continues to work and care for others. Her son, Jason, at 25 years old, struggled to survive life saving open -heart surgery and is looking forward to a future he might not otherwise have had. The story of their survival and their will to live will help bring awareness to others regarding the skills to survive and maintain hope in life. At the same time, we know they will be an inspiration for those who are also struggling with serious medical diseases.
Our goal with this event is to promote awareness of the Loeys Dietz Syndrome as well as the struggles of families with life threatening illnesses. Our dream is that all the participants will enter this race to enhance their health and end this race with a renewed and invigorated joy for a healthy life for themselves and all of those around them in the community.
When: Sunday, April 10, 2011
Start Times: Registration, Activities: 9:00am
5K Run/Walk: 10:00am
Kids Fun Run (1 mile): 10:05am
Where: The course will begin at 1 Robertson Drive in Bedminster, NJ and will continue to the hike and bike trail that consists of some rolling hills. Pre-race activities for kids include bib coloring for the fun run. Post-race will include refreshments for all Runners and Walkers.
