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5k run for 12-year-old FSGS patient raises over $7,500
On Saturday, February 12, over 225 runners and walkers came out to the Wildwood Loop and raised over $7,500 during the first-ever run/walk for NephCure in Alabama.
Special thanks to the Alabama Wildwood Campground, Cupcakes, Y'All, Raytheon, Wings, Jenne Concrete, the Fort Rucker Thrift Store, the Fort Rucker Military Police, Haven of Grace Church and the Young, Ruffule, Hanni, Guymon and Hill families for their time and energy in support or organizing this event.
The following story, written by Ebony Horton, was published in the Dothan Eagle (Alabama) prior to the event. Click here to read it on dothaneagle.com
When runner Jana Hani looks at Emma Young, she doesn’t see a 12-year-old Fort Rucker girl who was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease that could lead to dangerous complications and uncomfortable swelling at any given moment.
What Hani does see when she looks at Emma is a young lady whose love for community service and helping others worse off than herself can serve as a model for men and women several times her age.
Hani has worked with Jessica Ruffule over the last couple months to organize a benefit 5k run in Wildwood Loop in Daleville on Saturday to raise awareness and funds for a cure for Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, or FSGS.
According to The Nephcure Foundation that promotes such runs for research, FSGS is a rare and potentially debilitating kidney disease that is usually diagnosed in kids younger than Emma and can cause swelling and greater risks.
Ruffule said around 800 residents from all over the Wiregrass – including some of Emma’s friends from Coppinville Junior High School in Enterprise – have already committed to participating.
Ruffule said the idea of a run came to mind after she noticed Emma had a hard time going to school and church because of swelling and sickness last year.
When Ruffule found out through Emma’s mom, Christy, that Emma had a rare condition, Ruffule said organizing something to help Emma’s family did not take much thought.
“Emma is such a sweet girl – her entire family is awesome. I knew they would never mention a need for anything and that made me want to help even more. The area has overwhelmingly supported us,” Ruffule said.
“A guy who owns a dialysis clinic contacted me and wants to pay for all of Emma’s dialysis. We’ve mailed five letters a week to different businesses, and many have offered to help by way of gift certificates or a jar in the window. It’s just been awesome.”
“Awesome” was a word that also came to mind for Emma when she thought of everyone who came together to prepare for Saturday’s event.
“To know that so many people care just means so much to me. It makes you want to cry,” said Emma, who smiled continuously as she spoke of how she and her family constantly overcome challenges in relation to the disease
The love Emma has for others is what brought tears to Hani’s eyes.
“She had just came from being treated herself but all she could talk about was wanting to help another girl she saw at the hospital who was worse off than her. She’s always wanted to help others out,” she said.
“Emma is an example to adults of how we all should be.”