Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley Seeks to Make 9th Annual "Walk & 5K Run for Wishes" Best Yet

Benefit Will Help Grant Wishes for Local Children With Life-Threatening Illnesses
By: Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley
 
ARDSLEY, N.Y. - Oct. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Sunday, November 2 is going to be a very busy media day. Thousands of runners from around the world will race through the five boroughs of New York City seeking personal glory in the New York Marathon and the candidates for Governor, the U.S. Senate, Congress and a host of local municipal positions will campaign for votes in the hopes of achieving victory at the polls on Election Day.

But on this day, as these events unfold, many others will be making headlines as well by crossing a very different finish line on behalf of a worthy cause. That is when hundreds of individuals and families will join in Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley’s 9th Annual Walk and 5K Run for Wishes presented by Trusted Choice® Independent Insurance Agentsat Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, Yorktown Heights. Registration begins at 8:30 AM with the race kicking off at 10 AM, rain or shine.

The goal of the participants and supporters will be to help raise another record amount in the annual festive and inspiring community event, the proceeds of which will be used to help grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. Last year, more than 450 participants and their supporters raised a record $129,000.

“This is one of our most important annual fund raisers,” said Thomas J. Conklin, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish® Hudson Valley. “The extraordinary generosity of individuals and businesses in this event is critically important to meeting our mission.” He noted that in the 28 years since the Hudson Valley chapter was established, it has helped grant more than 2,280 wishes of youngsters between the ages of 2 ½ and 18 in the counties it serves (Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester)

“Currently, we are working on 161 pending wishes and the average cost of each  ranges between $7,500 and $10,000,” Conklin explained, "which is why we again welcome local businesses, community leaders, organizations, schools and individual supporters to spend and walk with wish families and raise the funds necessary to ensure a wish for every child, one step at a time.”

As in prior Walk & 5K Run for Wishes events, among this year’s participants will be several Wish Kids. They and their families, friends and other supporters will stride side by side for the cause.

Seven-year-old Tommy of Yorktown Heights is one of them. In the spring of 2013, he was diagnosed with life-threatening aplastic anemia, a disease in which the bone marrow and blood stem cells that reside there are damaged and cause a deficiency in all three blood cell types. Needing a bone marrow transplant, Tommy was fortunate that his sister provided a perfect match. “But the recovery process after the transplant was a very tough and long road for Tommy to get through,” recalls his mother Kathy. “The first 100 days after the transplant were very risky with the threat of infection looming as the new stem cells took over. He also needed to be in isolation and required many medications.”

In the midst of this ordeal, Make-A-Wish lit Tommy’s world. Because of his love of fish and other animals, his wish— as soon as he was well enough to travel— was to go to Atlantis Dolphin Bay. “Tommy had the thrill of his life meeting and interacting with 50-year-old Jill, the oldest dolphin in human care,” noted Kathy.

At last year’s Walk and 5K Run for Wishes event, 40 came out to support Tommy’s team, raising more than $6,000. The team is committed to making the chapter proud again this year. “We have seen what the healing power of this organization can do in restoring a child to health and will do all we can to make this event a success to assure other kids like Tommy will benefit as well,” said his mom.

Another returning Wish Kid is Stefano of Mahopac, who turns nine in December. As a result of his brain not developing properly in utero, Stefano had suffered from epileptic episodes and had difficulty expressing himself. Fortunately for him, a friend of the family who volunteers for Make-A-Wish was the catalyst two years ago in making Stefano’s dream come true—to visit Disney World.

“His eyes opened up with such glee when he met his favorite Disney characters,” said his mom, Diane, adding: “The experience left an indelible impression on our family. Just knowing that the funds raised by Make-A-Wish are primarily used to bring happiness to kids is the reason why Stefano’s Angels was so successful last year in attracting more than 30 supporters,” she noted. “Our committed team will be there in force again this year.”

The walk and 5K run is appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Participants interested can register in person on the day of the event from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM or online at www.hudson.wish.org.

Special guest and Celebrity Event Chairman, Mike Bennett of WHUD’s Mike and Kacey in the Morning will emcee the day’s event.   The prestigious Steven Sherer of Storm DJs will headline the morning and afternoon musical entertainment.  Food and beverages will be provided.

Following the walk/run, there will be activities for the entire family including face painting and visits from kids’ favorite characters.

Awards will be presented for the following achievements:

·        Most funds raised by an individual

·        Most funds raised by a team

About Make-A-Wish ® Hudson Valley

Make-A-Wish® grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Since its inception in 1986, the chapter has granted wishes to over 2,280 children in the communities it serves. A primary objective is to make sure that every child eligible for a wish receives a wish. Although the child is the main focus of the wish, Make-A-Wish involves the entire family so they can all enjoy a happy, carefree experience with no strings attached. This allows everyone in the family an opportunity to share in the child’s dream and to fully participate in a positive wish experience. The wish experience is a combined community effort involving volunteers, staff, donors and medical professionals to make each wish come true. The Chapter serves Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.

For more information about the Hudson Valley Chapter visit www.hudson.wish.org.

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