August 8, 2015, the morning of the Filipino Festival in Henrico County, racers will begin and finish the race at the festival grounds of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, with the delicious smell of Filipino foods in the air. Racers will enjoy fresh, hot Filipino egg rolls at the end of the race plus other prizes, food and cultural entertainment at the festival.
The Colorado Fund for Muscular Dystrophy (CMFD) was established in honor of Aileen D. Colorado, a Midlothian native who passed away from complications of pneumonia in May 2011. Diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy since birth, Aileen chose a career of advocating for disability employment, despite her own physical limitations.
Muscular dystrophies (MD) are included in a group of more than 40 neuromuscular diseases characterized by progressive muscle deterioration. Persons with a neuromuscular disease may develop scoliosis, joint contractures, feeding or swallowing difficulties, and respiratory insufficiency, often requiring ventilator support. MD is prevalent worldwide across all demographics, with currently no known cure.
Proceeds from the Race ‘N’ Roll 5k will go towards CFMD’s goal of improving the quality of life of those with muscular dystrophy by providing grants to individuals with muscular dystrophy who are in need of financial assistance, and sponsoring a child to attend a special summer camp in 2016.
Each year, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) hosts a summer camp for kids ages 6 through 17 in Wakefield, VA. Campers get to experience typical summer activities such as swimming, horseback riding, and canoeing. Trained MDA staff care for the kids. It costs $800 to send one child to camp.
Living with muscular dystrophy can be costly. People often need various types of equipment, therapies and modifications to maximize their independence. Expenses for these services are not always covered by medical insurance and can be often run thousands of dollars out of pocket. Wheelchair accessible van modifications, for example, can cost up to $70,000. CFMD grants may be awarded to individuals with muscular dystrophy to help pay for assistive technology, home modifications, or adaptive equipment.
Since November 2013, CFMD sponsored 2 children to attend MDA Summer camp and gave $1000 in grant money this year to purchase an adaptive tricycle for Ben Bumgarner, a four year boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
The Colorado Fund for Muscular Dystrophy aims to raise $10,000 for their Race ‘N’ Roll 5K event to continue to fulfill their mission of helping individuals with Muscular Dystrophy live their best quality of life.
CFMD’s Race N Roll 5K event page can be viewed at www.coloradofmd.org/race for more information.
