22nd September Stride 5K to benefit patients with cystic fibrosis

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU Healthcare will host its 22nd Annual September Stride 5K Run and Walk beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 in front of Ruby Memorial Hospital.

The 5K run and walk is organized by the WVU Healthcare Rehabilitation Services Department. Event proceeds benefit the Richard Rosenbaum Memorial Fund, which provides medication and equipment to patients with cystic fibrosis and other pulmonary problems.

Cystic fibrosis affects about 35,000 people in the United States. An estimated 300 of those people live here in West Virginia.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and obstructs the pancreas, causing chronic lung infections and preventing natural enzymes from helping the body break down food and absorb nutrients. Patients with cystic fibrosis struggle with poor nutrition and inability to gain weight, as well as chronic progressive lung disease. Ultimately, most patients die prematurely of end-stage lung disease.

The Richard Rosenbaum Memorial Fund provides items like fat-soluble vitamins that can cost families $60 per month and gift cards to reward patients for meeting weight gain goals. It also serves specific needs of individual patients and families.  

“When you look at what these folks have to go through day to day to manage the disease, if you can come out and run and help to contribute to the fund, it does have an impact. This is a fund for our local patients that really does have an impact on their lives,” Kathryn Moffett, M.D., director of the Mountain State Cystic Fibrosis Center, said.

Kaylee Reed, from Pennsboro, W.Va., knows the level of work it takes to manage cystic fibrosis. She has been under Dr. Moffett’s care since she was diagnosed at five months old. Now at age 15, in addition to her 14 medications, she spends as much as two hours each day doing therapies to clear her lungs and airways.

“It’s a lot more than what you think it would be,” Reed said. “People think you just take medicines, but they don’t know about the therapies. You try to explain it to them, but they don’t fully get it. It’s difficult sometimes.”

For Reed, events like the September Stride not only raise money for a good cause but also show support for people like her who are battling this disease.

“It makes you feel better to know people would do stuff like that, like come out and walk or run to raise money,” she said. “It’s a good cause.”

Reed hopes for a big turnout this year. She knows several people from her hometown who plan to make the trek to Morgantown for this year’s event.

This year’s race takes a rolling course with one water stop and mile split times. Due to construction in the area, the course will be somewhat different from last year’s course.

Kids can participate in arts and crafts and three races just for them. Starting at 10 a.m., there will be two short runs for younger kids as well as a half-mile run for older children. Kids’ races are free, but racers must be registered at the kids’ tent.

Cash prizes will be awarded for the first three male and female finishers. First place receives $150, second receives $100, and third receives $50. There is also a $100 prize for a new course record.

Competitors present at the end of the race will be eligible for a variety of random prizes.

The registration fee is $25 for all participants.

To register online or for more information, visit www.runreg.com/september-stride-5K.