Pittsburgh, PA – Wondering what success is? Jaxson’s Jog (http://www.jaxsonsjog.com)
The inaugural Jaxson’s Jog 5k race was held on May 23, 2009 and welcomed runners and walkers of all levels and ages to the beautiful North Park Boat House in Allison Park, Pennsylvania on a USA Track & Field Sanctioned course. It was held in partnership with Global CDH and organized by Sarah Mayer, mother to Jaxson Isaac Mayer, born on May 19, 2008 with left-sided CDH. The race covered a 3.1 mile certified course timed and managed by Runners High timing service. Prizes were awarded to overall top finishers and runners in each age group. T-shirts and gift bags were provided to all participants.
Over 130 walkers and runners completed the course and raised over $2,500 to benefit Global CDH, an organization dedicated to supporting parents with medical and travel expenses related to CDH. Each cent raised will be utilized to subsidize the cost for travel, food, and medical expenses for the parents of babies with CDH. For more information, visit the information page located on the Global CDH website (http://www.globalcdh.org).
Jaxson's Jog is just one of many events that Global CDH is a part of in efforts to raise awareness for CDH. “Our organization aims to provide positive programs which will benefit the CDH Community,” says Luis A. Ramirez, President and Trustee of Global CDH, regarding Global CDH Mission. Global CDH is a grassroots initiative incorporated in New Jersey on May 18, 2008. Their aim is to assist families that will experience the financial and psychological challenges associated with CDH before, during, and after birth. Global CDH's programs provide resources for hope while the infant is in utero and after delivery during the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stage, provide resources and support for the care and treatment of patients (after NICU), and provide shelter as needed to an infant’s family diagnosed with CDH during the NICU stage.
About Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
A congenital diaphragmatic hernia birth defect occurs in 1 in 2,000 live births in the United States and accounts for 8% of all major congenital anomalies. With the rate of live births in the United States at 4,115,590 in 2004, this translates to approximately 1,800 live births with the congenital diaphragmatic hernia birth defect.
In the developing fetus, the diaphragm – the muscle that separates the chest and abdominal cavities – fails to close, allowing the abdominal organs to migrate into the chest, compressing the heart and lungs. While surgery can correct the diaphragm shortly after birth, the underdeveloped lungs cannot deliver enough oxygen and a CDH newborn requires immediate high-tech respiratory support. Long term issues of CDH can include feeding problems, respiratory issues, and developmental delays.
