A Run For (and From) The Heart
Kevin met Alex in 2018 when Alex was running a social media page on Instagram featuring a sport they were both interested in, Disc Golf. Kevin had initially reached out to Alex to learn more about corporate sponsorship, but their professional relationship turned into a friendship.
Alex and his wife, Lacey, had their second child in 2019. Indiana (“Indie”) was born with multiple congenital heart defects (CHDs), which required open-heart surgery shortly after her birth. Over the last year and a half, Kevin has followed her condition through Alex and Lacey’s posts and continued to check in on his friend. As Indie’s treatment continued, her struggles and triumphs tugged at Kevin’s heartstrings. He knew he had to do something, but wasn’t sure how to make an impact.
310 Miles in 10 Days
As an avid runner, Kevin was set to run in the Buffalo Marathon in May 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the race was canceled.
And that’s when magic struck.
Kevin deferred the challenge of the Buffalo Marathon to 2021, but decided to use this change in plans to do something BIG for Indie and all those fighting congenital heart disease. The idea for 310 Miles in 10 Days was born.
To help raise awareness for the 2.4 million children and adults living with CHD, Kevin will not only run the Buffalo Marathon, he will run TO the marathon! For this Michigan resident, that’s a 310-mile trek to Buffalo, NY! This journey will require Kevin run 31 miles per day for 10 consecutive days. It obviously won’t be an easy task, and at times not very fun, but Kevin hopes his miles will inspire others to support congenital heart disease patients like Indie.
Sponsor a Mile
Running alone will not help those impacted by CHD, so Kevin needs your support. You can sponsor one (or more) of his miles and show everyone you’re rooting for him and Indie. All funds raised will support Conquering CHD programs across the United States, providing hope, support, and education to patients and families.
Sponsor a mile for CHD today!
Map Kevin’s Run
10 days of running, with some fun activities along the way, are all planned out. You can follow Kevin’s progress, cheer him on from your town, and support CHD patients across the United States. Volunteers with several of our State Chapters will also be supporting Kevin along the way, so stay tuned to our social media (@conqueringchd) for updates!
Day 1: Gregory Michigan –> Milan, Michigan
Day 2: Milan, Michigan –> West Toledo, Ohio
Day 3: West Toledo, Ohio –> Fremont, Ohio
Day 4: Fremont, Ohio –> Sandusky, Ohio
Day 5: Sandusky, Ohio –> Sheffield Lake, Ohio
Day 6: Sheffield Lake, Ohio –> Cleveland, Ohio
Day 7: Cleveland, Ohio –> Unionville, Ohio
Day 8: Unionville, Ohio –> West Springfield, Pennsylvania
Day 9: West Springfield, Pennsylvania –> Erie, Pennsylvania
Day 10: Erie, Pennsylvania –> Irving, New York –> Buffalo, New York
About Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) – CHD is the most common birth defect and a leading cause of infant death. In 2021, 40,000 babies will be born with CHD in the United States alone, joining the 1.35 million new patients born this year around the world. 1 in 100 people worldwide are diagnosed with CHD.
Thanks to advances in medical technology and surgical procedures, more adults than children are now living with congenital heart disease. CHD is a chronic, lifelong condition that presents significant challenges for the patient and their family. CHD has no cure.
About Conquering CHD – Conquering CHD exists to conquer the most common birth defect. We engage, listen, learn, and act. We create visibility and empower all impacted by congenital heart disease, accomplishing this through awareness, knowledge, community, and research. Visit our website at www.conqueringchd.org.
For additional information on Kevin’s run, please contact Conquering CHD’s Outreach Director.