July 12, 2019
Our National chip timed run/walk on June 8, 2019 at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton, IL was a great success, raising thousands of dollars for research! The success of the National 5K has moved us closer to donating an additional $200,000 to research in order to reach a total of one million dollars.
All runners/walkers were timed. Gift certificates from Fleet Feet Sports were awarded to Jack O’Brien, overall 1st place male finisher and Rachel Shoemaker, overall 1st place female finishers. Medals were given to 2nd and 3rd place male/female overall and to the top three males/females in various age groups.
Prior to the start of the 5K, Eat the Frog Fitness, Wheaton, IL led warm-up stretches. The names of those who did not survive and whose family/friends attended were read followed by a moment of silence. Participants then lined up along the trail before the start line and recognized the survivors who were present. Other activities included a silent auction, a selection of SCAD store items, face painting and refreshments. A complimentary lunch was provided by Buona – Naperville.
The winner of the SCAD Survivor quilt was drawn and announced – Minna Ogren from Sweden, who has attended SCADaddles© in the US many times the past eight years.
A SCAD Reunion for survivors, their supporters and families whose loved ones did not survive took place on Friday evening, June 7, at Embassy Suites, Naperville. The evening started with a social followed by dinner. Drs. Sharonne Hayes, Timothy Olson (Genetics Lab) and Marysia Tweet presented Mayo Clinic SCAD Research Program’s latest research findings and took questions from the audience as well as online. Their presentation was streamed live through Facebook. Prior to the research presentation, SCAD Research was awarded a beautiful Mayo Clinic engraved Tiffany bowl to recognize our support. As of 12/2018, we have donated a total of $800,000 to their research since we started in 2011. The entire presentation is on our YouTube channel. Mayo Clinic research presentation starts at 19:20.
Thank you to our sponsors especially Mauge (Supporting), Fleet Feet Sports (Event Partner) and Catalina Charitable Marketing Foundation (Patron). We truly appreciate Carol Zich, 5K chair and her team for their hard work making this year’s SCAD Reunion and 5K SCADaddle© so successful! Team members were Deb McGarry, Meghan Scheiber, Lydia Killian, Sarah Trulley, Kim Brown, Natalie Brawner, Laura Meyer and Jan Saillard.
A big thank you also to those who helped ensure the weekend came together, especially Nick Dorazio, who created the tribute video to Bob Alico & took care of all our AV needs; Tracy Van Duinen for emceeing again this year & to all the other volunteers who helped along the way.