Kerrigan's Run for a Reason

We're proud to formally announce Kerrigan's Run for a Reason!! Since I put out the note on Facebook, we've had some questions, so I thought I'd clarify and explain what this special event is all about.

First off, I'd like to offer a little introduction to the SUDC program. "The SUDC Program was created at the CJ Foundation for SIDS in September 2001 by two mothers (Laura Crandall and Chelsea Hilbert) who lost their toddler aged children to SUDC and approached the CJ Foundation for support and answers. Today, the SUDC Program raises research funds and provides a centralized resource for information, support and advocacy. It serves families and professionals affected by the tragedy of SUDC, and promotes awareness of SUDC inbcommunities." ("Run for a Reason" planning guide).

And now, a little bit about SUDC. SUDC stands for Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood. It is, in it's simplest definition, SIDS after the age of one. Similar to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), SUDC is a diagnosis of exclusion - given when all known and possible causes of death have been ruled out. However, SIDS occurs in approximately 54 in 100,000 live births, while SUDC occurs in approximately 1.2 in 100,000. Most incidences occur between the ages of 1 and 3.

I first head about the SUDC program from watching Food Network Challenge. There was an episode where one of the contestants had recently lost her daughter to SUDC, and when she described it, I thought that it sounded exactly like what we had experienced with Kerrigan. So I looked up the website, got in touch with the directors, and the rest is history. We're received great support from the program and have had access to some wonderful material. As a way to give back and to spread the word about this little-known condition, we've decided to host Kerrigan's Run for a Reason.

The run will be held next July 21st, the Saturday before Kerrigan's 6th birthday, at Homesteader Park in Powell. It will feature a 5K run, 2K family fitness/memorial walk, children's fun run, activities, music, food, and, hopefully, lots of fun!

If anyone out there is interested or has experience with fundraising or event planning, I'm looking for a few people to help out as committee heads! Our committees include: childrens' activites, food & drink, fundraising, marketing/public relations, and entertainment. If you are interested, leave a message or give me a call!

The countdown has started, so, mark your calendars, start training, and join us for a day of hope and memories!