Show of Faith 5k

If you’re looking for a 5k to run in the middle of September you may wish to consider the Show of Faith 5k which will take place on Sunday, September 19th at Bicentennial Park in Bethlehem.

Makaeya Wheeler is 2½ years old and suffers from a rare degenerative disease called MLD, or Metachromatic Leukodystrophy. The disease affects nerves, muscles, other organs, and behavior and slowly gets worse over time. There is no cure for MLD. Care focuses on treating the symptoms and preserving the patient’s quality of life with physical and occupational therapy. MLD is a severe disease that gets worse over time. Eventually people lose all muscle and mental function. Life span varies depending on what age the condition started, but the disease course usually runs 3 – 20 or more years. People with this disorder are expected to have a shorter-than-normal lifespan. The earlier the age at diagnosis, the more quickly the disease progresses.

The Show of Faith 5k race and walk will raise funds for the Wheeler family to help offset travel and medical expenses. In an email I received last week, I learned that there has been little response to this 5k to date. I know there are a lot of 5k’s out there and a lot of them are an attempt to raise funds for one charity or another. Sometimes the need for funds is a little more urgent that at other times.

Please head over to the event’s facebook page to learn more.

Morning Call article from July 2010