Set for Feb. 12, the second annual Ethan’s Run: Hope for Heart Defects is just around the corner.
Ethan’s Run has a three-fold mission. The first is to create awareness for congenital heart defects (CHDs). The second is to provide financial assistance to families going through difficult battles. The third is to encourage others to take care of the heart they have.
Inspiring this mission is our son, Ethan, who lost his battle to a complicated set of heart defects at 6 months of age. He taught us many lessons during his short journey on this earth. The most important lesson being, there are many great causes in the world. Thanks to Ethan, we found our cause, and we have created this event to support families who are struggling through complicated battles.
Many defects require a series of open heart surgeries to re-route the circulation. The infants and children can be very fragile until the series is complete. These children and their families need medical support, as well as emotional and financial help during this time. When Ethan was diagnosed in utero, I was shocked to learn CHDs affect twice as many children than all childhood cancers combined.
Ethan’s Run is a family affair, as well as a competitive race. We have something for everyone! There is a Fun Run, Pancake Breakfast and Kids Zone. Also, the serious runner can participate in a certified 10K or half marathon through the beautiful desert foothills of Las Sendas in Northeast Mesa. These races are challenging, as are the lives of children dealing with CHDs. Heart defects are the No. 1 birth defect, a lifelong concern and the No. 1 cause of death in infants.
This second annual event has grown thanks to help and support from the community. Our platinum sponsor this year is Iron Gear Sports, a local triathlon store. We are so excited to have a sports store, as well as the United States Track and Field Association backing the race. The first annual run attracted a broad spectrum of competitors, from serious runners, to the many family and friends of CHD children who used the inspiration of their loved one to run in their first racing event.
The theme our family used during this difficult ordeal was, Life isn’t about waiting for the storms to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain. Although we would give anything for our son to still be with our family, we are grateful he gave us six months to get to know him and six months to more fully understand the beauty of helping and supporting others.
For information on the event, please go to www.ethansrunaz.com.
Ethan’s Run is a part of The Eller Heart Family Council. Under the direction of the Congenital Heart Foundation, the council’s mission is to provide practical information, resources and financial assistance for parents and families whose children have been diagnosed with congenital heart defects.