Rett Syndrome is caused by a random genetic mutation and is considered to be a severe neurological disorder affecting 1:10,000 female births. It is often misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy, or a non-specific developmental delay. Many girls experience seizures, scoliosis and the inability to communicate verbally. Girls and women with Rett Syndrome are dependent on their families and/or caregivers for life.
Last year J organized and executed the Run4Rett, a 5k and 1K Run/Walk which attracted 425 participants and raised more than $50,000 for the Ontario Rett Syndrome Association. I am happy to report that the event will be taking place once again this year.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Richmond Green Park, Richmond Hill, Ontario
Richmond Green Park, Richmond Hill, Ontario
I have had the opportunity to get involved in the 2009 event and have taken on the role of Volunteer Coordinator. We are hoping to attract close to 200 volunteers (whom I will coordinate, assign and manage) so it will be quite the undertaking, but I know it will be totally worth it when it all comes together in October.
My little sister has also assisted J and I in soliciting corporate donations for products to include in participant race kits. We have already successfully procured up to 500 product samples from dozens of companies. Wait til you see some of these goodies!
It has been an enlightening and rewarding experience so far being 'behind the scenes' and I have admittedly been blown away by how much is involved in pulling together even a small community event like this one.
If anyone in the area (or anyone you know) would be interested in volunteering or participating this year, I would really appreciate it. Just follow the link below to register through the Running Room. Hope to see you out there!
19 comments:
Sounds like a worthy cause. I'd never heard of Rett before, but now I have one more thing to worry about. Thanks :)
While I would love to volunteer I can't sadly due to being in Manitoba. However if you need any pointers on recruiting volunteers and all that fun volunteer coordination stuff let me know I have some great resources (it's like I'm a volunteer coordinator for living.)
Good luck!!
That is really amazing of you to do that! :) Hope everything goes smoothly and I wish I could volunteer :)
Great cause! Good luck with that!
this is a great event! good for you!!! this is one day before my marathon! (eek)
great thing to do!
What a great cause. I'm sorry I'm not in the area, I'd love to volunteer. Great job pulling all this together.
sounds fun and very worthwhile! you've got a lot done already it seems. good luck getting everything together!
If I were closer, I would so be in. Sounds like a great cause to run for!
Sounds like an awesome cause! Hope it works out well for you.
Awesome! Hope you all raise so much more this year. Wish I could be a volunteer.
What a great cause to organize a run for!!! And certainly a big high fives or thumbs up or just THANKS for volunteering to take on such a huge part of organizing the volunteers!
I wished I lived closer!
Hi Marlene,
I would love to volunteer but I haven't worked out my fall plans yet, but if I'm not racing another event, I will volunteer. Is there any pre-race stuff needed? Also you may want to contact local school, teens need 40 hrs of community hours to graduate, and this is such a positive experience for them to partake in.
You are amazing to volunteer your time like this. I can't imagine what it must be to organize a race - especially since us runners can be tough to please sometimes!
That's amazing, sounds like she put together quite the event! I love that you're so involved - I might have to email you post-race and get details about how you managed the task. I'd love to organize a race one day and have a LOT to learn!
I hope the planning stages go smoothly, can't wait to hear more about this! If there's anything we can do in the blog-world, just let me know!!
I would definitely help if I lived nearer. It's great that you are helping out. Hope the planning goes smoothly.
Oh man - how I wish it was in September when I'll be in Toronto!!!
I'm pulling for you though and if you need any help from afar let me know.
Is registration for the race open? I could advertise on the blog and on facebook. I have way too many Toronto friends on that! :o)
PS: Good on you for helping to organize this!!!
WOW!! That's awesome - sounds like such a great cause - and you ROCK for putting it on! Wish I could help out - but I'm not in Canada! :)
That is awesome!
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