FLORENCE – The Run for a Reason 5K and 1 mile fun run will be held November 12, 2017 at McFarland Park in Florence. The fund raising event will aid in the recovery of Landon Rich and Hunter Smith and will be in honor of Rivers Starkey who all suffered traumatic brain injuries.
Landon Rich began complaining a severe headache on May 18, 2017 and after being taken to the local emergency room, was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. He was diagnosed with a brain bleed caused from an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM). The brain hemorrhage was located in an area that controls, speech, movement and vision. Landon has since had surgery to repair the AVM, is continuing to improve with weekly therapy and has recently returned to school. Hunter Smith was involved in a knocker ball incident and suffered a traumatic brain injury on April 17, 2017. He was airlifted to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham after having multiple strokes and seizures. Hunter has undergone several surgeries to relieve pressure and spent two months in rehab at Children’s. He is relearning how to talk and walk and has come a long way. The event is also held in honor of Rivers Starkey lost his extensive fight to recover from a traumatic brain injury he suffered on October of 2015.
These families have and will continue to incur mounting medical expenses to help their children recover to their full potential. Friends and family members have come together to organize this event as a way to relieve this financial burden and support Landon and Hunter. Community support is appreciated and anyone wishing to assist can register for the event, make donations or purchase t-shirts.
Registration applications can be picked up at the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Visitor Center located at the McFarland Park or online at www.imathlete.com/events/runforareason17. Registration will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Shelter #1 at McFarland Park in Florence. The 5K fee is $35 and begins at 2:00 p.m. The 1 mile fun run fee is $15 at begins at 3:00 p.m. Student and group/team rates are available. Participants will receive a t-shirt, drinks, snacks and other great door prizes drawn at random. First place winners in all categories will win special prizes and gift cards.
For more information, call 256-740-4141, visit the Facebook page at Run for a Reason or email Runforareason16@gmail.com
Media Release/: Alison Stanfield, Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
