RUN WILD - NEVER LOOK BACK
RUN 2 CURE SMA - MIRACLE MILE 26
Premier Staff Memeber Runs for Disabled Niece and Her Friends
Aquatic staff member and early morning lifeguard Michelle will be running the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Half Marathon on Oct. 20th for her niece Madison Reed of Dublin and all her friends. Sixteen year ago, Madison was dx with a rare fatal neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy or SMA. She has type 1 the MOST fatal of the 4 types. SMA is the #1 genetic killer of children under 2. Doctors told her family to take her home and make her comfortable she will not see her second birthday. There was nothing they could do. Madison showed her family and doctors that with a true love of life and a will to live - she was not going to give up. At her first birthday her family found out there was major SMA research at The Ohio State University and wanted to join in on raising awareness and funding a cure. In August of 1998, they established a fund at the OSU Medical Center Foundation called Miracle for Madison & Friends. The next 10 years, they held a large annual fundraiser called Madison's Angels at the End Zone at the old Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe. With the help of many friends and family, the Ohio State University Foundation and Athletic Department (especially football) they raised annually over $100,000 for research and SMA clinic. With the closing of the BHOFC and Madison medical needs increasing, the family has been doing several small fundraisier. Most currently, run events. This is were Madison's Aunt comes in. To celebrate Madison turning 15, she trained for over a year to run/walk the 2012 Disney Princess Half Marathon. The event was at the end of February - HER birthday month, it was in Disney her favorite place in the whole world and the theme was PRINCESS to which she loves all Disney princesses. It was meant to be. Over $2500 was raised for GENE THERAPY RESEARCH AT NCH RESEARCH INSTITUTE. In two weeks we will know if human clinical trials can begin as FDA will either approve it or deny it. We believe they will give it the OK. The data from mice and other animals show SMA can be cured. It did not end there. Learning the Columbus Marathon's major charity was NCH, Michelle entered the Columbus Half Marathon along with Madison's two cousins and another aunt. This team was called Team Madison's Angels - Run 4 A Miracle - Cure SMA. This team raised over $8,000. They ran so one day kids with SMA will too. This year 2013, Madison is one of the miracle children patient champion mile. She is MILE 26. WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF GENE THERAPY RESEARCH for children and adults who are currently affected by SMA.
MEET MADISON REED
Madison is a true miracle. He she is at 16 getting ready to meet the Princesses at Cinderella's Table.
Disney Princess Half Finish Line
Michelle crossing the finish line of the 2012 Disney PHM. Her first half - goal was to stay in front of the balloon/sweeper ladies and finish. Check!